Italy legend Gianluigi Buffon ‘confirms retirement from international football’

A tearful Gianluigi Buffon has retired from international football after Italy failed to reach the World Cup for the first time since 1958, declaring: “I am sorry for all of Italian football.”

The veteran 39-year-old goalkeeper has made 175 appearances for his national side, having made his debut in October 1997.

But despite keeping a clean sheet in the second-leg of his country’s goalless draw with Sweden at the San Siro, he was powerless to prevent Italy losing 1-0 on aggregate and failing to reach the World Cup for the first time in 60-years.

“I leave a squad of talent that will have their say, including Gigio Donnarumma and Mattia Perin. I want to give a hug to Chiello, Barza, Leo and Lele, who I had almost 10 years alongside. I thank the lads who were with us and, although it wasn’t enough, I hope that we gave them something.

“In football you win as a group, you lose as a group, you divide the credit and the blame. The coach is part of this entire group.”

Shortly after the interview, he made his position even clearer on social media.

In tweets from the national team’s official account, he said: “We are proud, we are strong, we are stubborn. We will pick ourselves up as we have always done.

“I am leaving a national team set-up that will know how to pick itself up again.

“Best wishes to everybody, and especially to those with whom I have shared this beautiful journey.”

Italy, who last failed to qualify in 1958, have won the World Cup four times, most recently in 2006.