MILAN (Reuters) - Tearful goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon ended his 20-year Italy career in the saddest possible way on Monday with their first failure to qualify for the World Cup in 60 years. The 39-year-old Buffon said after Monday's goalless playoff draw against Sweden, which ended Italy's hopes of going to Russia, would be the last of his 175 appearances. "It's upsetting that my last Italy game coincides with our elimination for the World Cup," said Buffon, a World Cup winner in 2006. Buffon made his full international debut in 1997 against Russia the last time Italy took part in a playoff to qualify for the World Cup. "I want to thank Giorgio Chiellini, Andrea Barzagli and Leonardo Bonucci who I've played with for so many years," said Buffon.

Source: The Star November 13, 2017 23:37 UTC