Gianluigi Buffon targets 2026 World Cup as Parma icon rejects retirement rumours

Gianluigi Buffon believes he can continue playing until he's 50 and is targeting a shock return to the Italian national team.

The goalkeeper, 44, is still playing regularly for boyhood club Parma and isn't planning on retiring anytime soon, despite his advancing years.

Buffon has 18 months remaining on his existing deal and has featured in all 21 league games this term. Parma are currently 13th in Serie B, the second tier of Italian football.

The Juventus icon has enjoyed a fabulous career, winning 11 league titles, six Italian Cups, the World Cup and many more trophies.

Buffon picked up the last of his 176 senior caps for Italy in 2018 but hasn't formerly retired from international duty and would welcome a recall.

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"If Italy don't qualify for the World Cup, I may play the next ones," Buffon told La Gazzetta dello Sport via The Sun.

"I would not be surprised to be still fit at 48. Michael Jordan didn't rule out playing until 50 and I understand him. At the end of the day, we do the talking on the pitch."

On his future with Parma, Buffon added: "Let's see how Parma and I end the season. I feel the responsibility to represent people from Parma who give me unconditional love."

Italy - the reigning European champions - are yet to qualify for this year's World Cup.

Roberto Mancini's side must beat North Macedonia and Portugal or Turkey to book their place in Qatar. Italy failed to qualify for the last tournament in Russia.

Despite the next World Cup taking place in just nine months' time, Buffon respects Mancini's decision not to select him and won't pressurise the manager.

"I've always used the World Cup as an excuse for those who were wondering why I was continuing," revealed Buffon.

"The truth is, I continue because I am doing things that others don't do. However, the dynamics make me understand that Qatar is impossible.

"It's fine like this, I must respect the choices of a smart man such as Roberto Mancini."

Speaking in December, Buffon admitted he still has dreams of winning the Champions League. The legendary goalkeeper lost the 2003, 2015 and 2017 finals.

"Not winning the Champions League keeps my competitive spirit alive," he told TUDN via the Daily Mail.

"Perhaps if I had won the Champions League, I might've already retired, because I would have no more important objectives to reach."

Buffon re-joined Parma last summer after spending 19 of the previous 20 seasons at Juventus.

"I have many memories, above all the motivation and hope is to write a few more important pages in the history books of this club, and I know I can do it," he said on re-joining.

"That is the main reason I returned here, along with the other 999 reasons! I felt such strong emotions, as an emotional reaction is the only way to keep delivering at this level at my age.

"I knew Parma would give me something that no other team could, so if I was already sure of my choice, I am even more convinced of it now.

"Seeing these places again make me feel like being back home. I need to feel happy, and Parma is a place that loves me just as I love them."