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Italy fail to qualify for the World Cup: Buffon breaks out in tears

Italy fail to qualify for the World Cup: Buffon breaks out in tears

Gigi Buffon has just played his last game with Italy national team. The legendary azzurri and Juventus captain is set to retire at the end of the season and could have played his sixths World Cup, something that nobody has ever achieved.

The San Siro 0-0 draw at the San Siro, however, means the end of World Cup hopes for Italy as well as the end of Buffon’s dream to become the only player to have ever played six World Cups.

 
The 40-year-old broke out into tears at the end of the game and was the first player to talk to Rai after the final whistle.

“I’m not crying for me. I’m crying for this country for Italian football, because it would have been important to qualify, also socially not only in footballing terms.”

"This is not the end of Italian football, Italian football has a future and I am sure that players like Donnarumma and Perin will brilliantly replace me."

“We didn’t underestimate our opponents, it’s everybody’s fault not only the manager’s. I want to thank everybody, I want to thank all the people who supported me during this amazing journey with the national team. Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini, everybody, it’s a very sad day.”