Buffon hints at playing beyond this season
At the age of 40, Buffon is poised to make a pivotal decision in his life, with retirement on the horizon, though the veteran is yet to finalize his plans beyond the season. Buffon – regarded as one of the all-time greats – appeared set to call it quits following the World Cup in Russia, which Italy sensationally failed to qualify for.
But speaking ahead of Juve's rescheduled Serie A clash with Atalanta on Wednesday, Buffon said: "Motivation is everything. As long as I want to suffer, to fight, I'll continue. After the passion that motivated me in my first years, I set myself the goal of having a challenge, to always fight for a bigger objective.
"I'll need to see - together with the club - what energy level I'll have and whether I can continue or not. What makes me happy is the fact that, whatever my future will be, I feel very serene and gratified for what my career has been, and for what I think I've given to Juventus, Parma, the national team and all of football.
"I know I have always worked with extreme seriousness and unselfishness, putting the good of the group ahead of my own."
Reigning Italian champions Juve are one point clear of rivals Napoli with a game in hand.