Gianluigi Buffon Retires at 45: Top 5 Moments of Italian Legend’s Career

• Gianluigi Buffon has decided to announce his retirement from professional football at 45
• The legendary Italian goalkeeper will call it quits after 28 years and played for three clubs
• He won it all in his career except the UEFA Champions League but indeed enjoyed high moments

Gianluigi Buffon has decided to draw the curtain on an illustrious career that spanned 28 years and three clubs, ending it with the club it all began - Parma.

At 45, he announced his professional retirement, having enjoyed what looked like a circular career which started at Parma - Juventus - Paris Saint-Germain - Juventus - Parma.

Sports Brief looks at the top five moments of the legendary Italian goalkeeper's career, having won it all except the UEFA Champions League.

1. Debut clean sheet against Milan

Buffon made his debut for Parma at 17 years and 295 days in a draw against eventual Serie A champions AC Milan. He kept a clean sheet in a 0-0 draw, making notable saves against Ballon d'Or winners Roberto Baggio and George Weah.

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2. Becoming world's most expensive GK

After six years at boyhood club Parma, he moved to Serie A giants Juventus for a world-record fee of €52m for a goalkeeper in 2001. He spent 19 years at the Allianz Stadium, with one year spell away at Paris Saint-Germain in the 2018/19 season. He won 10 Scudetto and was UCL runners-up thrice.

3. Most capped Italian player

According to NBC Sports, Buffon became the most-capped Italian player with 137 appearances during the 2014 World Cup qualifier against Denmark in 2013. He made 39 further appearances and ended his international career with 176 in a friendly against Argentina in 2018. He also has the highest appearance as captain with 80.

4. 2006 World Cup with Italy

The former PSG goalie was named first choice at the 2006 World Cup in Germany and helped Gli Azzurri to their fourth world title. He set a record by conceding two goals in seven games and kept five clean sheets as Italy beat France on penalties in the final.

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5. Promotion with Juventus in 2006

Juventus were relegated to Serie B in the Calciopoli scandal. According to 90min, Buffon and some other top stars, including Pavel Nedved and Alessandro del Piero, stayed to help the Old Lady gain promotion back to the top flight after a year and cemented their legacy in the club's history.

Top 5 most expensive goalkeepers

Sports Brief reported on the top 5 most expensive goalkeepers of all time after Andre Onana completed a switch from Inter Milan to Manchester United.

Buffon is fourth on the list, with his move from Parma to Juventus in 2001 remaining the most expensive before it was broken by Alisson Becker's move to Liverpool in 2018, which was broken days later by Kepa Arrizabalaga's move to Chelsea.