Juventus legend Gianluigi Buffon has no immediate retirement plans
Wednesday 15 April 2015 12:04, UK
Juventus’ legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has no immediate plans to retire and insists it would be a waste to quit now when he feels he is still in top form.
The 37-year-old Italian made his 92nd Champions League appearance on Tuesday as Juventus sealed a narrow quarter-final first leg advantage with a 1-0 win over Monaco in Turin.
And, after the game, Buffon was asked for an update on the future of his playing career, to which he replied: “A player stops when he feels that he is no longer what he was before on the pitch.
"Looking at it objectively, that is not my case. I will continue to keep playing as long as I am doing well, otherwise it would be a waste.
“Why bid farewell to football if you are playing well?”
Buffon has helped Juventus win three successive Serie A titles and is still Italy's first-choice goalkeeper.
He took a starring role against Monaco, denying Yannick Carrasco and Geoffrey Kondogbia a vital away goal, to maintain his pursuit of a first Champions League crown.
However Buffon, who joined Juventus from Parma in 2001, insists he would not let individual quests hamper the fortunes of the team, confirming he would retire should his performances drop.
"At the first sign of slipping, I would be the first to bow out,” he added.
“I think one should stop playing when goes onto the field and you see that you are no longer the same person.”
Watch the Champions League quarter-final second leg between Monaco and Juventus live on Wednesday April 22. Coverage from the Stade Louis II starts at 7:40pm, Sky Sports 1 HD.
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