Buffon almost certain over retirement

Gianluigi Buffon says he will call time on his career at the end of next season unless Juventus can end his wait for Champions League glory.

Juventus great Gianluigi Buffon is "99.9 per cent" certain next season will be his last in professional football. The veteran Italy goalkeeper helped Juve to a third consecutive domestic double and the Champions League final last term. Buffon, 39, has previously stated his intention to retire from international football after the 2018 World Cup in Russia but it now appears that tournament will be the last act of a stellar career. "I'm 99.9 percent certain of retirement," he told Sky Sport 24. "I'm going to have one final, intense season, rich in big moments, and then it will be time to say enough is enough." Real Madrid inflicted Champions League final heartache on Buffon and his colleagues, and winning European football's big prize next time around is the only thing that could convince the former Parma keeper to soldier on.