What’s the story?
Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon revealed that he was supposed to retire from football at the end of the season on one condition – if he kept a clean sheet against Barcelona over the two legs in the Champions League quarter-finals. The 39-year-old had made the promise prior to the Champions League tie and the club have now asked him to go back on his word.
“I had promised to quit football at the end of the season if I kept a clean sheet against Barcelona over two legs,” the Old Lady’s captain told Sky Sports Italia.
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“I told the President [Andrea Agnelli] and he said at times in life we say stupid things, not to worry and move on. So I had to take the promise back. The President has more experience than me and gave me good advice.”
In case you didn’t know...
Juventus met Barcelona in the Champions League quarter-finals in what was a repeat of the final in 2015. Back then, Barcelona sealed the treble with a 3-1 win over the Serie A giants but many predicted a close contest in this season’s tie.
However, Juventus won the tie 3-0 on aggregate, scoring all three goals in the first leg at home. Buffon was hardly troubled over the two legs as Max Allegri’s side put in a defensive masterclass to restrict the Catalan giants to just 5 shots on target even though they attempted 35 shots on goal.
The heart of the matter
Buffon’s impending retirement has come up time and again over the past few years and it is only his determination to keep playing at the top level that has kept him going for so long. If Juventus do win the Champions League – the only major trophy Buffon is yet to win in club football – the veteran goalkeeper may hang up his boots.
What’s next?
Juventus next take on AS Monaco in the semi-finals in what will be a clash of the experience of the Italian giants and the exciting young talent in the Ligue 1 club’s squad. The two semi-final legs will take place on 3 May (at Stade Louis II) and 9 May (at Juventus Stadium).
Author’s take
Considering the fact that Buffon may look to play in the 2018 World Cup before hanging up his boots (and gloves), the decision to retire may be pushed to the end of next season. Most players retire from international football so they can focus on their club career. In Buffon’s case, it is a matter of pride to put on the Azzurri jersey and the World Cup in Russia may be his swansong.
