Gianluigi Buffon needs knee surgery in the coming months, the Italy and Juventus goalkeeper said on Sunday.
"My knee is wrecked. I need an operation. I'll carry on as long as I can," Buffon told reporters as Italy arrived back in the country following their 2-2 draw in Ireland on Saturday which secured their place at next year's World Cup.
The 31-year-old, back to his best form after a year of injury niggles, said he would try to put off the operation until after Juve's Serie A game with champions Inter Milan in early December.