Can play for Italy, Juventus at 80: Gianluigi Buffon

TURIN: Juventus legend Gianluigi Buffon says he feels like a soldier while playing for his nation or club and he will play for them even at the age of 80, if required.

He was to retire at the 2018 World Cup which would have been his record sixth appearance at the quadrennial football showpiece in Russia but Italy failed to qualify.

“I just don’t know how to answer these (retirement) questions,” Buffon Said.

“I am very likely to stop, but I am still available for Juventus and the national team. Even at 80, if suddenly no goalkeeper would be there, they should call me -- I would train briefly and then jump in,” Buffon added.

BARCA GRANT MESSI, SUAREZ EXTRA LEAVE

BARCELONA: Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Javier Mascherano have been granted an extended rest over Christmas after helping Barcelona to open up a commanding lead at the top of Laliga.

“The FC Barcelona squad are now on their Christmas holidays,”read a club statement.

Luis Surez, Leo Messi and Javier Mascherano all have the club’s permission to rejoin the rest of their team-mates on in the New Year on 2 January.”

ROMA NOT EXPECTING JANUARY TRANSFERS

ROME: Roma sporting director Monchi does not expect the club to pursue deals in the January transfer window.

“When we start the market we talk about it,” Monchi said.

“But I do not think we’ll have to look for solutions outside, because I think the solutions are inside the team.”

NO DORTMUND RETURN FOR MKHITARYAN

DORTMUND: A return to Borussia Dortmund for Manchester United’s Henrikh Mkhitaryan next month is almost impossible, according to Hans-joachim Watzke.

“I know the economic details of his transfer to Man United like nobody else,” Watzke told Bild am Sonntag. “That’s why [his return] is only conceivable with a great deal of imagination.”