Time is cruel says tearful Buffon after last Italy game

Soccer Football - 2018 World Cup Qualifications - Europe - Italy vs Sweden - San Siro, Milan, Italy - November 13, 2017 Italy’s Gianluigi Buffon during the warm up before the match REUTERS/Max Rossi

MILAN (Reuters) - Tearful goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon ended his 20-year Italy career in the saddest possible way on Monday with their first failure to qualify for the World Cup in 60 years.

The 39-year-old Buffon said after Monday's goalless playoff draw against Sweden, which ended Italy's hopes of going to Russia, would be the last of his 175 appearances.