Gianluigi Buffon Could Play For Juventus Until He's 45-Years-Old After New Contract Hint

Gianluigi Buffon has admitted his legendary career could continue until 2023 - when he'll be 45-years-old.

The Italian is back at Juventus after a spell with Paris Saint-Germain and many assumed it'd be one final swansong.

But he's now in the second season of his second stint in Turin and despite his contract coming to an end this summer, he sounds interested in a new deal.

Buffon told the Guardian: "I've learned nothing is certain in life. Look, in my head, there truly is a final stop sign.

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"A maximum bar, which is June 2023, that is the maximum, really, really the maximum.

"But I could also stop playing in four months."

The 43-year-old initially announced his retirement in 2017 before signing for PSG in a shock deal.

Buffon's career has seen him win ten Serie A titles, a Ligue 1 nod as well as the 2006 World Cup.

It's a career that has already spanned 26 years and the shotstopper is convinced he has 'one more story to write.'

He continued: "They say that when you reach my age, the decline happens all at once - from one moment to the next.

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"I don't believe this. I feel what I feel, and the sensations I have within myself don't make me think there is going to be some sudden collapse.

"I am also someone who believes very strongly in fate, in destiny. When Juventus offered me the chance to come back, I thought, 'Madonna!'.

"You never know, maybe there's a reason, something I'm meant to go back there for. One last great story to write.

"So I have to be honest, there is also a part of this that comes down to that bit of ego all of us have."

Buffon has made 10 appearances in all competitions this season and brings valuable experience to Andrea Pirlo's side.

The two played together for many years at club and international level and Buffon cherishes his friendship with the ex-midfielder.

"My friendship with Pirlo goes a long way back," the former Parma man revealed. "In practice, me, him and [Gennaro] Gattuso knew each other going back to 1993... When you have the fortune and the ability to share a journey like winning the World Cup, I really believe that sealed our relationship.

"Not our friendship. You don't judge a friendship by winning World Cups, but it sealed a bond. It gave us a shared understanding that can never be broken."

Topics: Football, Serie A, Gianluigi Buffon, Juventus, Italy

Daniel Marland

Daniel is a journalist for SPORTbible and he has previous experience with Manchester United. He has spoken to some of the biggest names in sport including Rio Ferdinand, Peter Crouch, WWE COO Triple H and WWE legend The Undertaker. May or may not do a decent impression of Jamie Carragher.

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