title: Gianluigi Buffon: Reflections on a Legendary Career

digest: After 30 years in football, Gianluigi Buffon has announced his retirement. From his early days at Parma to his stints at Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain, Buffon's career has been remarkable. His teammates and opponents alike have sent their heartfelt wishes as he bids farewell to the sport. This article takes a look at Buffon's club and international career, highlighting his successes and regrets, and pays tribute to his lasting impact on the world of football.

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Gianluigi Buffon, the 45-year-old veteran, has officially retired from professional football. His incredible journey, from 1994 to 2023, spanned from the age of 16 to 45, starting and ending at Parma. Buffon's career has been nothing short of spectacular, filled with highs and lows that are nothing short of remarkable.

His 30-year stint in professional football is a testament to his determination and resilience. Whether it was his former teammates or opponents, they all offered their sincerest well wishes as he announced his departure.

Pirlo commented, "Buffon means 'the best years of my life' to me. He brought us together not only through memories but also through deep, genuine, and passionate friendships. This unforgettable story will always remain, and Buffon, the Superman of world football, will forever be our hero."

Bonucci expressed his admiration, saying, "You are one of a kind, and you always will be. I can't even find the words to describe the way you were, the knowledge you taught me, and what you brought into my life. Thank you, my friend."

Iniesta added, "What a great career, my friend! It's such a cruel feeling to see you retire! Facing you on the field was always a massive challenge! I wish you all the best in the next stage of your life."

Club Career: Successes and Regrets

If a player's career is compared to a train journey, Buffon's would be the longest and most colorful. This train not only traveled a great distance but also witnessed breathtaking scenery along the way.

It reached the peak and weathered the low points. It started and ended at Parma, with its longest stop at Juventus, and a brief interlude at Paris Saint-Germain.

This journey took a total of 30 years.

Buffon was born on January 28, 1978, in Carrara, a city in central-northern Italy.

At the age of 10, Buffon began his professional training and joined Parma's youth team at 13. At 16, he made it into Parma's first team and made his Serie A debut at 17.

This is where the legendary story began.

After a brief period of apprenticeship during the 1995/1996 season, Buffon became Parma's first-choice goalkeeper from the 1996/1997 season until the 2000/2001 season.

During his time at Parma, Buffon helped the team win the UEFA Cup, the Italian Cup, and the Italian Super Cup.

In the summer of 2001, Buffon joined Juventus for a transfer fee of 52.88 million euros, making him the most expensive goalkeeper in the world at the time.

From 2001 to 2021, Buffon made 685 appearances for Juventus, keeping 322 clean sheets. With Buffon's help, Juventus became the dominant force in Serie A.

Buffon's team honors at Juventus include 10 Serie A titles, 5 Italian Cups, 6 Italian Super Cups, as well as 1 Serie B title and 3 Champions League runner-up finishes.

The Serie B title represents Buffon's loyalty. When Juventus was relegated due to the "Calciopoli" scandal, Buffon stayed with the team and helped them return to Serie A as quickly as possible.

The three Champions League runner-up finishes represent Buffon's regrets. He