Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has added to his array of silverware after picking up the Serie A Best Player award at the Gran Gala del Calcio.
The legendary Italian picked up the award for his performances during the 2016-17 season at a star-studded ceremony in Milan on Monday, organised by the Italian Football Federation.
And it was another brilliant night for Massimiliano Allegri’s Juventus side as they dominated the Serie A awards ceremony.
The award will serve as a form of compensation for Buffon who could not lead the Italian national team to qualify for the Russia 2017 FIFA World Cup.
“The failure to participate in the World is the biggest disappointment in my career together with some (lost) Champions league finals,” said the 39-year-old Juventus goalkeeper at Monday night’s ceremony.
“I’m happy and proud. I never thought I’d get this kind of trophy, and I’ll hold on tight to it because I’ve never won best youngster!”
Napoli’s Maurizio Sarri was named the best coach in the Italian football awards.
Buffon retired from international football last month as four-time champions Italy surprisingly missed out on their first World Cup finals in 60 years after a playoff defeat to Sweden on Monday.
“Italy-Sweden was the biggest disappointment of my life,” he told Sky Sports Italia.
“But we need to move on, the season must end in the best way and with Juventus there are so many goals to be achieved.”
Buffon won a tenth Serie A title with Juventus, as well as a third Italian Cup title as well as helping the Turin side reach the Champions League final for the second time in three years.
He has However left the door open on a future return for the national side.
“I’ve taken a period of rest, I’m getting on, I’ve always been a soldier signed up for the national side and Juventus, so I can’t desert,” he said.
“Even at the age of 60, if there was a dearth of goalkeepers I’d be available because that’s how I conceive the idea of a nation.”
