Gianluigi Buffon refuses to give up on Champions League dream despite Cardiff heartbreak

Sporting News

4 June 2017 at 7:18 am

Gianluigi Buffon is readying himself for “one more chance” of winning the Champions League after suffering final heartache against Real Madrid.

The legendary goalkeeper has come within touching distance of European football’s biggest prize on three occasions, but has never got his hands on the trophy.

Allegri: Juventus will be back

A 4-1 defeat to Madrid on Saturday saw his dreams dashed once again, with Cristiano Ronaldo inspiring the La Liga title holders to victory in Cardiff.

At 39 years of age, time is running out for World Cup winner Buffon to complete his medal collection, but he is refusing to give up.

“I still have one more year on my contract, so that means I have one more chance of winning the Champions League,” he told Sky Sport Italia.

“Admittedly, it’ll be tough to do better than this year, because we could’ve done something truly incredible this season.

“Unfortunately, we didn’t manage it.”

Despite missing out on continental glory, Juventus did complete a domestic double in 2016-17.

Buffon helped them to a sixth successive Serie A title and a third Coppa Italia success in as many years.

Buffon baffled by Juventus defeat

An iconic figure will be back for more in 2017-18, but he has admitted in the past that he intends to retire after the World Cup finals in Russia.

“I will try to make the next World Cup and then it may be time to close the door. It will almost certainly be at the end of the 2018 World Cup," Buffon said as he picked up the Gianni Brera award for Sportsman of the Year in January 2016.

Buffon is still looking to add to his 168-cap haul for Italy, while building on his 842 appearances at club level.