After 20 years and 176 appearances and a lot of international trophies, the great Gianluigi Buffon has said his goodbye to international football in the most heartbreaking way possible.
“We have pride, strength and we’re stubborn. We know how to get back up again as we’ve always done. I’m leaving an Italy side that will know how to speak for itself. Hugs to everyone, especially those I’ve shared this wonderful journey with.” – Gianluigi Buffon
In the game against Sweden, Italy dominated in terms of possession but failed to break through in the qualifier match and therefore didn’t make it to the World Cup next summer.
The likes of Giorgio Chiellini and Gianluigi Buffon will be left out of the tournament in Russia next summer and a lot of his friends had put out heartfelt messages to the 39-year-old Italian. But one message had amassed over 100,000 re-tweets in the space of just a couple of hours, from Iker Casillas
No me gusta nada verte así! Quiero verte como hasta ahora, como lo que sigues siendo para muchos: una LEYENDA. Orgulloso de conocerte y orgulloso de haberme enfrentado a ti muchas veces. Aún nos tienes que deleitar en el fútbol amigo! #1 pic.twitter.com/gs9o0irCqo
— Iker Casillas (@IkerCasillas) November 13, 2017
The tweet read:
“I don’t like to see you like this. I see you how many other still see you: a legend. I’m proud to know you and proud to have faced you many times. You can still delight us in friendly football!”
We’re grateful for being able to watch this legend play in our times and such a great gesture from the former Real Madrid man as well.