FIFA World Cup 2018: Five superstars who will miss the tournament

#4 Gianluigi Buffon

Buffon has announced his retirement from international football

At the age of 40, Gianluigi Buffon was looking for a final hurrah before he hung up his international boots and retired from playing for his country. Unfortunately for him, and Italian fans, the legendary goalkeeper's farewell came before anyone could expect it.

In the final play-off match against Sweden, Buffon was able to maintain a clean sheet with the result of the match being 0-0.

The first leg against Sweden has seen Italy lose at 1-0. The tie in the second leg meant that for the first time in sixty years, Italy would not be playing in the World Cup and had failed to qualify.

For many fans around the globe, this meant they were about to see their first football World Cup where Buffon was not playing.

With 176 caps for Italy, Buffon announced his retirement early, although he returned to play in a last friendly match.

The Italian Goalkeeper has probably played his last International match and ends his career with one World Cup win next to his name thanks to the victory of 2006.