Buffon decides to have back surgery
Reuters - Thursday 24 June 2010, 17:59
JOHANNESBURG - Gianluigi Buffon will
undergo surgery on his troublesome back and hopes to return to
action in around three months, the Italy and Juventus goalkeeper
said on Thursday after the Azzurri's shock World Cup exit.
Buffon suffered a herniated disc in the opening 1-1 World
Cup draw with Paraguay, the latest in a series of back problems,
and missed the 1-1 draw with New Zealand and Thursday's 3-2
defeat by Slovakia in their final Group F game.
"I have decided to undergo surgery. I should have done it
three years ago but I didn't for altruism, for responsibility
towards the club," he told Rai TV.
"Now I want to take two, three months to return to fitness
and restart. This is the moment to think about yourself."
Juve signed keeper Marco Storari from AC Milan on Wednesday.
Buffon, 32, said the World Cup flop was "our fault" but did
not comment on his own international future with Fabio Cannavaro
and Gennaro Gattuso now quitting the national team.
"If you can't win it is right to go home," he added.
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