TURIN, May 20, 2018 (News Wires) - Italy great Gianluigi Buffon played his final game for Juventus Saturday before tearfully exiting after a 17-year career as storm clouds gathered during a 2-1 win over already relegated Verona. Buffon - who had captained Juventus to a seventh straight Serie A title and fourth consecutive Italian Cup triumph this season - took his final bow midway through the second half before rain came down and thunder rumbled over the Allianz Stadium. It was the 656th game for the evergreen 40-year-old who arrived in Turin in 2001 from Parma for a then world record €52 million fee. The goalkeeper and captain was substituted by coach Massimiliano Allegri to take an ovation before 40,000 emotional Juventus fans many with their eyes filling with tears. Buffon had said he did not want anything special for his final game. "I want to live this day normally. I ask nothing except what I have already had, esteem, affection and respect. The rest I do not need it. As a child, I did not like birthdays and be in the centre of attention," Buffon had said.
