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'Buffon played like a 30-year-old when he was 17' – Zola hails ‘special' Juventus goalkeeper

The former Parma and Chelsea hero has recalled the legendary shot-stopper's debut back in 1995 as he bids farewell to Italian football

Gianfranco Zola has hailed "special" Gianluigi Buffon as the goalkeeper draws the curtain on a legendary career in Italy.

Buffon confirmed this week that Saturday’s match for Juventus against Hellas Verona would be his last in Italian football, with the 40-year-old deciding in the next few days whether to retire completely from playing.

It would mark the end of an incredible career that began in 1995 when Buffon burst onto the scene as a 17-year-old in a memorable debut for Parma against the mighty AC Milan.