'That's all folks': Gianluigi Buffon announces retirement from football

Legendary Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon announced his retirement from football on Wednesday after 28 incredibly successful years for club and country.

Buffon, who in 2006 lifted the World Cup, won 10 Serie A titles with Juventus and a Ligue 1 title with Paris Saint-Germain.

The 45-year-old enjoyed most success at Juventus but ended his stellar career back where it all started at Parma.

"That's all folks! You gave me everything. I gave you everything. We did it together," Buffon said in a statement.

Buffon is the most capped goalkeeper in history, having played 176 times for Italy. Widely regarded as one of the greatest keepers of all time, he ended his career at Parma in the Italian second tier, having struggled with injuries in his final season.

"We would like to thank you once again: It is one of those moments we will remember in the history of football," Juventus said in a statement.

That's all folks!You gave me everything.I gave you everything.We did it together. pic.twitter.com/bGvIDsoFsG

"You were not only the best, you did more than that, you became THE goalkeeper."

It was at Parma that he won his only European club trophy - the 1999 UEFA Cup (now the Europa League) - but retires without a Champions League winners medal. He lost three times in the final with Juventus.

Parma paid tribute to him saying he is "a man, a champion, a captain for the club and the city."

"Over the course of his illustrious career, Gigi was unequalled, in his abilities, an implacable determination and an unshakable passion both on the pitch and off it," said Parma owner Kyle Krause.

He also won a Ligue 1 crown with PSG in the 2018/19 season before he returned to Juventus for two more years.

Kylian Mbappe took to social media to pay