‘Interesting proposals’ tempt Buffon to keep playing

GIANLUIGI BUFFON has announced that this Saturday’s Serie A finale will be his last game for Juventus, but left his future plans in limbo after refusing to reveal if he will retire or not after receiving offers from other clubs.

In an emotional press conference yesterday, 40-year-old Buffon and Juventus president Andrea Agnelli appeared to confirm that Saturday’s final league encounter against Verona – where Juve will lift their seventh straight Serie A title and Buffon’s ninth in total – will be the last for the legendary Italian goalkeeper in the shirt of Juventus.

But in what appears to be something of a U-turn, Buffon revealed that he has received “interesting proposals” in recent days that could lead to him continuing to play football next season.

“Saturday will be my last match with Juventus and I do believe it will be the most beautiful thing to end an amazing adventure this way,” Buffon said.

“What will I do next? For now I only know that I will play a game on Saturday. Until a few days ago it was certain that I would stop playing. Interesting proposals have now arrived.”

Buffon has received an offer from Juventus to move into a non-playing role by Agnelli, which he added he is considering.

Buffon also used the press conference to issue an apology to English referee Michael Oliver for his behaviour during and after Juventus’ Champions League quarter-final defeat by Real Madrid, and said that he will accept a ban from UEFA if they choose to sanction him.