Twitter reacts as Gianluigi Buffon announces his departure from Juventus after 17 years

17 years, a mammoth number of trophies to his name and a plethora of personal accolades under his belt, Juventus will bid goodbye to one of their greatest ever players, to one of Italy's finest ever sportsman, to one of the greatest goalkeepers ever and a true gentleman of the beautiful game- Gianluigi Buffon.

The 40-year-old has been contemplating the decision for some time now and following their seventh consecutive league title win and sadly another failed shot at getting his hands on the UEFA Champions League trophy, has decided to call it a day at and head into a possible retirement.

It's, of course, inevitable, but the fact that we may never see the legend in action is sure to cause some stir within the footballing fraternity and here's what Twitter had to say:

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🎙 @gianluigibuffon: "Saturday will be my final match for Juventus and to end this journey with two cups and with the president and the entire Bianconeri world by my side, will be very special."

— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) May 17, 2018

This is what the @BBCSport website looked like when Gianluigi Buffon joined Juventus in 2001https://t.co/z3JGwi3lQZ pic.twitter.com/co4ZDga7Hm

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) May 17, 2018

End of an era! No greater goalie in the modern era! #buffon pic.twitter.com/PBtnl8EAIZ

— Walnut FC (@iamtwalnut) May 17, 2018

We'll miss you @gianluigibuffon brother. Love ya. pic.twitter.com/q5XVIblLnJ

— ░ Ⓜ️ARCELO1⃣2⃣ 🥥 ░ (@TheM12show) May 17, 2018

Michael Oliver when he sees there's no chance of ever having to ref a match with Buffon in again: pic.twitter.com/B2gzNbvFRM

— Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) May 17, 2018

I wish Buffon would just stay if he wants to keep playing. The man still got it. Sad to see the legend go #ForzaJuve ⚪️⚫️

— ⚽️ Seb🦁🦁🦁🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 (@CJ28MTL) May 17, 2018

Farewell legend pic.twitter.com/5EVkRHMkuq

— Abhi ☯️ (@KroosEdition) May 17, 2018

truly an end of an era with Buffon leaving Juve. one of the best keepers ever, shame he never won the UCL, but at least he got to raise the world cup in 06

— Brendan (@BaGzLiddell) May 17, 2018

This what you mean to all of us, @gianluigibuffon.You'll always be priceless to us and we all always love you. Forever.You are the Number 1 of Number 1s. Thank you very much. pic.twitter.com/naLgMoFXjj

— Arjun Pradeep 68 🏆 (@IndianRegista) May 17, 2018

Thanks for the memories, Gigi #Buffon pic.twitter.com/QBjKb219TN

— Riccardo (@Dulafive) May 17, 2018

Will be weird seeing a Juventus without Buffon🙆🏻‍♂️

— Dan (@dannyh9623) May 17, 2018

I have the same feeling as in 2004, when #Baggio retired. The idea that my football life will never be the same #Buffon pic.twitter.com/1EtBTRkWKh

— Vince Van Genechten (@VVGenechten) May 17, 2018

1 Legend. ⚫⚪ @gianluigibuffon #G1G1 pic.twitter.com/CqZPzSwlj5

— PUMA Football (@pumafootball) May 17, 2018

Gigi Buffon at Juventus:👀 Years: 17🙌 Games: 655🏆 Serie A: 9🏆 Serie B: 1🏆 Coppa Italia: 4🏆 Supercoppa: 5👏 Serie A GK of the Year: 10End of an era. 😥🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/RLv3cPWAl7

— Football__Tweet (@Football__Tweet) May 17, 2018

Gianluigi Buffon in Serie A:• Most championships won (9)• Second most appearances (638)• Longest run without conceding a goal (974 mins)• Most clean sheets (292)• Most consecutive clean sheets (10)• Most clean sheets in a single season (21)Pure legend. 🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/Y7brCwKUyA

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) May 17, 2018