The World Cup tournaments have a tradition of witnessing some of the best players

The World Cup tournaments have a tradition of witnessing some of the best players in the world giving their one last go.

A number of legendary names like Zinedine Zidane have announced their retirement just after the World Cup. Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon is set to join in this list after announcing his decision to hang up his gloves after the tournament comes to a close in Russia. There were several doubts about Russia being able to host this tournament, but it now looks set to go ahead despite issues of racism, war, and deflation.

Buffon is regarded as the greatest goalkeeper of his generation and he holds the record of having cost substantially more than any other compatriot. It took Juventus a massive £ 35 million in order to sign him more than a decade ago. Such a transfer fee would have easily made him the world’s most expensive player – not just the goalkeeper – had it not been for the transfers like Zinedine Zidane to Real Madrid for around 45 million pounds. Buffon has been the best between the sticks for Italy and this has helped him make 154 appearances for the national team. His debut came a long while ago in 1997.

Buffon was part of the Italian team that won the World Cup in 2006.“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,” said Buffon. At the previous World Cup in Brazil, Iker Casillas announced his retirement plans from the Spanish national team. Casillas is famed for having lifted the World Cup and European Championship in successive years. The former Real Madrid goalkeeper was also immensely successful in his club career having won everything from the Champions League to small trophies.