End of an era! Legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon to retire at the end of the season

macfranc007 October 25, 2017 IFTTT, Latest Sport News | Today on Naij.com Akinshilo Ayomide

- Buffon has said he would only extend his career if Juventus win the Champions League

- This will mean the Italian giants will play in the FIFA Club World Cup in December

- The legendary shotstopper was named goalkeeper of the year at FIFA's The Best awards ceremony

Legendary Gianluigi Buffon has said he will retire at the end of the season unless his club Juventus win the Champions League.

The 39-year-old will stay on for next summer's World Cup and would extend his career for the Club World Cup if Juventus won Europe's elite trophy.

Buffon to retire unless Juventus win Champions League

Buffon will retire at the end of the season. Photo: Juventusfc/Twitter

Max Allegri's side have been defeated in two Champions league finals in the past three years (2015 and 2017).

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"This is my last season and I'm pretty sure of the choices I make," he said.

"One or two more years wouldn't add or take away from what I've already achieved."

Buffon also suggest he is retiring because of competition from Juve second choice Wojciech Szczesny.

"The only way would be to win the Champions League. At that point, to try to win the Club World Cup, maybe (Wojciech) Szczesny could play one game and me another."

"But I think with a goalkeeper like him behind it is normal that next year I'll stand aside," he told Sky Italia.

Buffon, who began his career at Parma before joining Juventus for £23m in 2001, was named goalkeeper of the year at FIFAs The Best awards on Monday, October 23.

He won the World Cup in 2006 and has also claimed 10 Serie A titles, four Italian Cups and a Uefa Cup, but has never won the Champions League.

Who will win the Champions League? - on NAIJ.com TV;