Gianluigi Buffon is showing no sign of slowing down at the age of 40, with the Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper suggesting that he could still have 10 years left in the tank.
The legendary Italian decided to prolong his playing career over the summer when making a move to France.
After 17 years as an iconic figure at Juventus, the World Cup winner opted to shelve retirement plans and take on a new challenge.
He is now refusing to set a date for the hanging up of his gloves, with a veteran performer determined to make the most of every opportunity he gets – even if that means playing until he is 50.
Buffon told L’Equipe’s Sport & Style magazine: “I’ve learned in recent years that it would be a mistake to set a limit.
“At 32 I thought I’d play until 35. After that, circumstances dictated that I keep playing. Then I said to myself: ‘I’ll stop at 38’. But at 38 I said: ‘I’ll stop at 40’.
“Life has made it so that I’m still here today, I could stop in six months, a year or 10 years and I don’t want to ask, I don’t want to know.
“I’m sure that the emotions and the life I’ve had, even in the dressing room, are not something I can find elsewhere. I’m not sure that a normal player would have lived this life the way I have.
“You have to accept that life has several phases, and you must never be surprised. So, I know that one day it’ll happen, and I won’t be taken by surprise.
“But I also know that everything will be completely different.”
The deal Buffon penned with PSG upon arriving at Parc des Princes in July includes a 12-month option to take him through the 2019-20 campaign.
He has already taken in six outings for the Ligue 1 giants this season, although he does face fierce competition for places from talented France international Alphonse Areola.
Let’s block ads!