Tearful Buffon bids farewell

Italy great Gianluigi Buffon played his final game for Juventus on Saturday before tearfully exiting after a trophy-laden 17-year career in 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.

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 euros fee.

The goalkeeper and captain was substituted by coach Massimiliano Allegri after 63 minutes to take an ovation before 40,000 emotional Juventus fans many with their eyes brimming with tears.

Juventus were two goals up thanks to Daniele Rugani after 49 minutes and Miralem Pjanic three minutes later when Buffon came off the pitch.

He hugged all his teammates, on the field and on the bench, and then left the sidelines.

Goalkeeper Carlo Pinsoglio made his Serie A debut between the posts but Alessio Cerci pulled one back for the visitors on 76 minutes, ending Juventus's bid for a record 23 games in one season without conceding a goal.

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.

But there was thundering applause and singing as the goalkeeper and Juventus captain emerged from the locker rooms.