Legends Gianluigi Buffon, Peter Shilton and Stanley Matthews have made at least one first team appearance since 1931-32
ITALIAN legend Gianluigi Buffon, 43, is certainly not thinking about retiring anytime soon.
The former Juventus goalkeeper has rejoined boyhood club Parma, where he made his name.
Astonishingly, that means the World Cup winner is in his 26th year as a professional, after making his debut in Serie A in 1995.
But, what’s even more incredible, is Buffon, Peter Shilton and Stanley Matthews have made at least one first team appearance between them since the 1931-32 season.
Shilts played between the sticks till he was 47 – with his final spell in football at third division Leyton Orient.
It wasn’t until the end of the 1996-97 season that the 1990 World Cup semi-finalist hung up his gloves – playing 1,005 league games.
Shilton, now 71, started his football journey at Leicester City in 1966, where he would make 348 appearances in all competitions.
His most successful period in the game came under Brian Clough at Nottingham Forest in the late 1970s, where he won the league title and the European Cup twice, as well as winning 125 England caps.
As Shilton was beginning his career, Stanley Matthews was winding down his.
LEGENDS' CAREERS AT A GLANCE
Gianluigi Buffon, Peter Shilton and Stanley Matthews have made at least one first team appearance since 1931-32.
Stanley Matthews – From 1931 until 1966
Peter Shilton – From 1966 until 1997
Gianluigi Buffon – From 1995 to present day
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The Blackpool icon and first ever Ballon d’Or winner, finished up at Toronto City in the mid 60s playing in the Eastern Canada Professional Soccer League.
Amazingly, he kept playing until he was 50-years-old before retiring and taking up a coaching role at Port Vale in 1967.
Matthews started out in the 1931-32 season for Stoke City, where he would go on to play 289 games scoring 57 goals.