Gianluigi Buffon gives emotional farewell as Juventus sign off with win

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:30 am

Gianluigi Buffon said an emotional farewell to Juventus as the veteran goalkeeper marked his 640th and last Serie A appearance in a 2-1 victory over relegated Hellas Verona.

Buffon, who announced on Thursday he would be ending his 17-year spell with the club, helped them finish the season with a win.

Juventus had already wrapped up a seventh straight title, so the game was an opportunity for them to pay tribute to their departing captain.

And he was already off the pitch by the time Verona pulled one back after goals from Daniele Rugani and Miralem Pjanic had put the hosts in charge.

He left the pitch for the final time as a Juventus player after being substituted in the 63rd minute, embracing teammates, staff and opponents alike as he made his way to the touchline.

Buffon was accompanied by his three sons as he led out the team at the Allianz Stadium and greeted emotional Juve supporters in the crowd ahead of kickoff, with fans eager to say their own goodbyes.

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Banners saluting the 40-year-old were scattered throughout the stadium, including a huge picture of the goalkeeper.

Buffon, who has not announced his retirement but said he has not yet made up his mind about his next move, saw his teammates struggle to break down Verona in the first half, with Dybala's chip, which came back off the bar, the closest they came.

But Rugani opened the scoring in the 49th minute, tapping home after goalkeeper Nicolas parried Douglas Costa's low effort.

And Pjanic made it two just three minutes later, whipping a right-footed free kick from a couple of yards outside the area over the wall and into the left corner, with Nicolas left rooted to the spot.

Buffon made his exit shortly after the hour mark, given a guard of honour as he made his way off the pitch.

Carlo Pinsoglio replaced him and he conceded as Alessio Cerci pulled one back in the 76th minute.

Stephan Lichtsteiner, another Juve stalwart leaving this summer, then saw his 85th-minute penalty saved by Nicolas.

It did not prove costly as the hosts closed out victory, but the day belonged to Buffon.