Gianluigi Buffon to leave Paris St-Germain at end of month
Last updated on .From the section European Football
Goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon will leave Paris St-Germain when his contract expires at the end of the month.
The Italy legend, 41, joined on a free transfer in July 2018, making 25 appearances in all competitions for the club as they won the Ligue 1 title.
The nine-time Serie A winner previously played for Juventus, making 656 appearances in a 17-year stay in Turin.
"I leave happy to have enjoyed this experience which has undoubtedly helped me to grow," Buffon said.
"Today my adventure outside Italy comes to an end.
"Ernest Hemingway wrote that there are only two places in the world where people can live happily: at home and in Paris. Today onwards, this will also apply to me: Paris, in some way, will always remain my home... Allez Paris!"
Buffon, Italy's most capped player with 176 appearances, retired from the national team after they failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.
Buffon won the World Cup with Italy in 2006 but has famously never managed to win the Champions League, losing three finals - in 2003 final to AC Milan, in 2014 to Barcelona and in 2017 to Real Madrid.
PSG reached the last 16 of last season's competition, where they were knocked out by Manchester United.
"I will never forget the pride that everyone at Paris St-Germain, both the club and the fans, felt when they saw Gianluigi Buffon wearing our jersey," said PSG chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi.
"During his time at PSG he brought his phenomenal experience and his sense of professionalism not only to his team-mates but also to all areas of the club. We will miss his warm and open personality here at the club."
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..."Ernest Hemingway wrote that there are only two places in the world where people can live happily: at home and in Paris. Today onwards, this will also apply to me: Paris, in some way, will always remain my home... Allez Paris!"
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Very poetic. Similar to something Wayne Rooney would write.
‘Now he would forever be remembered as the goalie who gifted MU two poor goals.’
He really won’t be by anybody who has followed football for more than 5 minutes
"Would never have got into a Man Utd side."
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And certainly not when Massimo Taibi was between the sticks at OT eh.
For at least half of Buffons career, Serie A was the best league in the world, certainly not a farmers league. How old are you? 12? In his prime, he was better than every single keeper Man U have ever had, with only one possible exception.
Anyone seen that at Wembley with an England team?
The PSG marriage I called as one of convenience: a chance to play another CL season for Gigi; a FFP stopgap for PSG, adding a buffer for the 3 year review period. I suspect a bid for DdG or Oblak is on the cards.
...when a literacy troll spells 'grammar' and 'especially' wrong...
Too old. Amazing in his prime though. He should retire and not tarnish his reputation any more.
Anymore? He went and won a league title in his one season there. Exactly how is that tarnishing his reputation? 🤨
Go on Luigi you know you want to!!
Whatever makes you happy Darren, another trophy less season coming up.