GIANLUIGI BUFFON is set to retire from football at the end of the season.
The Italy and Juventus keeper, 39, was last night crowned best goalkeeper in the world at Fifa's Best awards. But reports say the World Cup winner, who picked up his eighth Serie A title with Juve last season, will hang up his gloves.
Italy face Sweden in the play-offs to make next year's World Cup in Russia.
So it is feasible the legendary keeper's farewell year may not take in the biggest competition of all.
Buffon alluded to his age in his victory speech last night at the London Palladium. Beating off Real Madrid's Keylor Navas and Bayern Munich's Manuel Neuer, Buffon said: "I am very happy because this is a great award to win at my age.
"The last year has been fantastic for Juventus and me but it wasn't enough to win in Europe.
"Hopefully this year we can play better and win with the national team and Juventus.
"I would love to finish football with fantastic victories." Buffon made clear earlier this year his intention to retire.
He said: "I'm 99.9 per cent sure that's how it will go.
"I will have one final, intense season full of key dates, then it will be time to call it a day."
The 6ft 3ins keeper has made almost 500 appearances for Juve since 2001 and played 168 games for Parma before that.
He also has 173 caps for Italy.
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