Gary Lineker Posts Perfect Tweet as Italy Icon Gianluigi Buffon Retires from International Football

Football pundit Gary Lineker has taken to Twitter to pay homage to legendary Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, who has retired from international football after his side failed to beat Sweden to qualify for the World Cup. 

Italy needed to overturn a 1-0 first-leg deficit to make the finals, but the Swedes dug deep and booked their place in Russia with a 0-0 draw.

Posting on his official Twitter page, the former England star dedicated a Tweet to the super-stopper, taking the time to appreciate the glorious international career the tenacious Tuscan has enjoyed. Lineker tweeted: 

"It appears Gianluigi Buffon has played his final game for Italy. He will be much missed. A mountain of a man. A Giant of a goalkeeper. A credit to his sport."

The 39-year-old has also become a legend at Juventus, where he has been the number one since moving from Parma in 2001. 

During his time at the Serie A serial winners, Buffon has been omnipresent and pivotal in his side's successes. The 6ft 3' giant has won an astonishing ten league titles, as well as winning the Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year a staggering 11 times.

On the international stage, Buffon famously won the World Cup with Italy in 2006, and narrowing missed out on winning Euro 2012 after a humiliating 4-0 thrashing against a rampant Spain side in the final. 

18-year-old wonderkid Gianluigi Donnarumma is set to take over the reigns as Italy's number one, and the AC Milan prodigy already has four caps under is belt.

While Buffon may have missed out on a final performance in the World Cup, he will be desperate to see Juventus battle for the Champions League after losing 3-1 to Barcelona in last year's final. 

A first Champions League trophy would be the ideal way for Buffon to round off his sensational career, and Juve currently sit second in their group after four matches.