- Superman | Gianluigi Buffon #1

Gianluigi Buffon is not yet near retirement, says his agent, who also looks to reassure over contract talks with Juventus.

The 36-year-old has been reported for a number of months as set for negotiations with the Old Lady over a new deal, yet nothing has materialised as of yet.

Talk has also arrived surrounding the player’s intentions with regards to retirement and on both matters his representative has now commented.

“Calm, you have all seen the state Buffon is in, he will play on for a long time,” Silvano Martina has told Calciomercato.it.

“The contract is due to expire next June, that is true, but the words of Marotta seem very clear in this regard.

“There is no rush for the renewal - for this we have not yet set a date for a meeting.

“Let the transfer market finish and the season begin, then we will see.

“It will really take two minutes to sign a new agreement.”

Juventus captain Gianluigi Buffon says Napoli can win the Scudetto, but Inter “could have crushed us” earlier in the season.

The Bianconeri are sitting second in Serie A, two points behind the Partenopei, despite a difficult start to the season which saw them take just 12 points from 10 games.

“The defeat at Sassuolo?” Buffon considered, speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport about the last League game the Old Lady failed to win, after which he criticised the team.

“I think it was our last chance to get back on track. We risked getting sucked into oblivion for good. I don’t have many years ahead of me, so I don’t want to waste time and go through dark periods, without targets.

“It was an important response for everyone in the dressing room, those who had just arrived in Vinovo and those who had been here for many years.

“I think the Coach [Massimiliano Allegri] played a decisive role too, he knew which buttons to push to get the best out of us.

“I like maths. I love numbers, and that night [after Sassuolo] I did the maths and it gave me hope. I only talked to the directors, just so that the dressing room didn’t risk not perceiving the seriousness of the situation.

“'To win the Scudetto or get into the Champions League', I said, 'we need 25 wins. We have three, so we have to win 22 times in 28 games'.

“It seemed feasible, and now we’re already there at the front fighting for the Scudetto.

“Our most risky moment? I think it was the 0-0 in Milan, wrongly interpreted as a good result for Inter. In fact, if we’d lost that day it would have been a tombstone from a psychological point of view.

“The Nerazzurri could have crushed us, but they didn’t. It was a good Juventus, and I realised with the right attitude and everything in place we’d be a match for anyone.

“People say we’re favourites? They said that when we were further away in the table, and I smiled. It’s nice and rewarding to know how much fear and respect we instil.

“I think at some points in the season everything was in the hands of rivals though, nobody had the strength to immediately put us out of contention, no-one was able to pull away like Juve in recent years.

“I think if Juventus win the Scudetto, a lot of people will be kicking themselves. That said, there’s a long way to go and the games are open.

“Are Napoli or Inter our main rivals? They’re both on the same level, even more so in such a balanced League, with the lead in the League changing almost every Sunday.

“Inter aren’t in Europe, which helps a lot. Napoli are a well-oiled machine, they have one of the best attacks in Europe, and thanks to the excellent [Coach Maurizio] Sarri they now have great certainty in defence.

“Napoli are worthy of the Scudetto.”

The Bianconeri are also in the Last 16 of the Champions League, but have been handed a tough draw in the shape of Bayern Munich.

“It’s a game in which we don’t have much chance, that’s the truth. We’ll need anger, ruthlessness, great will and a bit of luck to upset the odds.”

One of the key men in Juve’s season so far has been Paulo Dybala, a summer arrival from Palermo, and Buffon discussed the young forward.

“My dad is obsessed with Dybala!” the goalkeeper laughed.

“He was happier than me after the deal with Palermo. I think Paulo has it all to be a champion: mentality, humility, attention to detail, character, hunger and technique.

“He has what it takes to be among the best in world football.”

Gigi Buffon admits the 2018 World Cup is his “last objective” and praises his Milan namesake Donnarumma.

The Juventus captain is coming to the end of his career, and reflected with Gazzetta dello Sport, as well as looking to the future.

“My best memories?” Buffon considered.

“The great joy of debuting in Serie A, the fulfilment of a dream. Then, of course, winning the World Cup in 2006.

“Finally, the perseverance and determination which has allowed me to stay at the highest levels.

“My best Juventus team? I think [Marcello] Lippi’s in 2002-03 where we got to the Champions League final and lost on penalties. We had style and organisation.

“In terms of the squad, starters and backups, I’d say the two-year period with [Fabio] Capello.

“I wouldn’t leave out the character and consistency of recent seasons with [Antonio] Conte and [Massimiliano] Allegri.

“How do I want to go out? I want to leave head-on. That’s been the commitment of my life, being able to look whoever is in front of me straight in the eye.

“And I’ll go out with the right fanfare, not overdoing the celebrations. Being on the pitch at 40 and the next World Cup are my last objectives as a player.

“And after? The emotions that you go through on the pitch can’t be felt behind a desk or in an institutional role.

“However, if someone gave me the chance of having an influence - and of course I have ideas, though I wouldn’t ask for gifts from anyone - I think it would be very nice to bring something new thanks to the experience I’ve acquired from many years of a career at the highest levels.”

Many have tipped Milan’s 16-year-old ‘keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma as Buffon’s heir, and the veteran has nothing but praise for the rookie.

“He’s doing great things, if only because he’s not afraid or fazed to be playing in a great stadium like San Siro. The Milan shirt weighs on you.

“In addition to his personality and calmness, he has important technical skill and physical qualities. He’s reactive, solid.

“The thing I like most though, is that we’re talking about a good lad, very level-headed, which is the key thing for a good career.



“And I have to say well-done to the media, you’re helping him to grow gradually, without too much unnecessary pressure.

“I see intelligent, measured judgements, and that’s how it should be with the very young.”

Juventus and Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon confirms he intends to retire after the 2018 World Cup.

The veteran turns 38 on Thursday, meaning he will be 40 by the time the World Cup in Russia comes round.

“If I can push myself up to the 2018 World Cup then I’ll go on,” Buffon said as he accepted a Gianni Brera award for Sportsman of the Year in Milan.

“After that I’ll close the door and stop playing football.”

Buffon also spoke about the Bianconeri’s current form, with last night’s win over Roma their 11th Serie A triumph in a row.

“This is a Juve which is definitely going through an exceptional period, you don’t get 11 consecutive wins if you’re not in top mental and physical shape.

“That said, as with all things we have to be very careful, because records and winning streaks are destined to end sooner or later, so we have to try and extend this streak for as long as possible, to put money in the bank for more difficult periods.

“Paulo Dybala? He did incredible things [with Palermo] last year, but to do that in a provincial club is different, it’s harder to replicate it at Juve.

“It’s surprising how quickly he adapted to the team.”

Giuseppe Marotta, general manager of the Turin club also had a few words to say, and praised Buffon.

“Buffon has a blank page, he decides his own destiny. He can stay here as long as he wants.”