GIANLUIGI BUFFON is close to signing a new Juventus contract once again to extend the 42-year-old’s career into its 26th season.
Although no longer first-choice in Turin, the veteran goalkeeper will remain an intrinsic part of the club and dressing room heading into the 2020/21 campaign.
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According to Tuttosport, Buffon agreed to renew his Bianconeri vows during a recent teleconference with Juve chairman Andrea Agnelli.
Naturally they will not be able to shake hands on their decision until after the coronavirus lockdown is ended.
But Buffon may not be putting pen to paper on his final contract when it is.
It is said the prospect of the shot-stopper carrying on for a further 12 months after next season cannot be ruled out.
Eventually, Buffon is thought to be set for a role in the Juventus backroom alongside the likes of fellow on-field hero Pavel Nedved, now serving as club vice-chairman.
Until then, he will continue to challenge Wojciech Szczesny for the No1 jersey at Allianz Stadium.
Gigi wants to play until he’s 50, but he can play for two or three more seasons.”
Francesco Totti
Buffon has appeared 11 times this season, keeping three clean sheets and prompting former national team colleague Francesco Totti to remark that he will play until he is 50.
The Roma icon told an Instagram Live: “He won’t want to stop, but they will make him stop, which is very different.
“I’ll tell you; Gigi wants to play until he’s 50, but he can play for two or three more seasons. Besides, he’s in goal and is a back-up.”
Last May, Buffon told CNN that the life of a national team coach was appealing to him for when he eventually does hang up his gloves.
He stated: “I wouldn’t want to be the coach for a team, but I’d love to be the coach of a national team.
“I’d love to meet other players, see other places in the world and I want to be known in other places.
“So the idea of becoming the coach of a national team, to live in another country, to learn another language, adapt to a new lifestyle and another way of thinking, would first and foremost help me improve as a person.”
