Gianluigi Buffon is at that point in his football career where he could easily call it quits. At 42-year-old, the Italian is one of a few sturdy footballers still around. And while most would not be surprised if he suddenly calls it a career, the Juventus goalkeeper has no plans of retiring for now. In fact, he says he continues to enjoy playing, fulfilling a childhood dream.
Right now, Buffon is savoring his second stint with Juventus. He briefly transferred to Paris Saint-Germain, a move that caught most by surprise. Two years ago, he was on the verge of possibly retiring but decided to play on. He was a key figure for PSG and even had the chance to stay there for another 12 months. But somehow, the Italian was just drawn back to Juventus even if he may no longer be the top dog.
“The return to Juve was natural. In the end, I had a wonderful year in Paris and I must say that I needed it to detoxify myself," Buffon said in a report from Goal.com. “However it’s clear that the contact with Juve was always there, with the President, with Fabio Paratici, and old friends. I played a season abroad without cutting the umbilical cord."
The decision to return is a curious one. For one, Buffon had to deal with the fact that he would have to play behind Wojciech Szczesny. Despite that thought, the veteran goalkeeper could care less. For him, it is all about enjoying the game he loves to play and performing for Juventus each time his number is called.
As far as retirement, the decision of Buffon remains pretty much the same. For as long as his body keeps up and he is needed, calling it a career may not be happening soon.
"The thing that interests me most, more than the games I play, is the role I think I can play here at Juve," Buffon said.
For now, Buffon joins a long list of football names that need to self-quarantine due to the coronavirus pandemic. There are plans to restart by early May, depending on how the situation is by that time. But the only thing certain right now is that the EFL and Premier League have no plans of cutting the current season short. They are determined to finish this season and then worry about how to make adjustments in the next one. The Italian could use some rest, giving his body time to recover like other players who are tired and dealing with injuries.
