Buffon bids tearful farewell to Juve after 656 games

TURIN, Italy, 19 May 2018: Talismanic goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon bid a tearful farewell to Juventus after 17 seasons at the club when he was substituted in the 61st minute of their Serie A match against relegated Verona on Saturday.

The Turin side, who clinched their seventh consecutive Serie A title a week ago, were leading 2-0 at the time, meaning that Buffon kept his 301st clean sheet in 656 appearances in all competitions.

The 2006 World Cup winner hugged several team mates and rival players as he left the field in tears to a standing ovation. He then walked around the perimeter, shaking hands with supporters in the front row.

Buffon, who won nine Serie A and four Coppa Italia titles with Juventus, was replaced by third choice goalkeeper Carlo Pinsoglio, who made his first appearance of the season.