Serie A champions Juventus gave a befitting farewell to their hero and talismanic goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon with a 2-1 win over Verona at home. It was an emotional goodbye to the man who stood tall under the Turin side’s crossbar for 17 long seasons. Buffon was more than a homeboy and an icon as the Zebras, who won their seventh consecutive Serie A title a week ago. They were leading 2-0 when the legendary custodian was substituted in the 17th minute of the second half in his 656th appearance for the club in all competitions. His replacement was his club’s third-choice goalkeeper Carlo Pinsoglio.

Amid the emotion, embraces and tears, the 40-year-old, who joined the Turin side from Parma in 2001, also lifted the Serie A trophy as it was presented to Juventus on the pitch after the match.

The 2006 World Cup winner, one of the greatest goalkeepers the game has seen, handed his captain's armband to midfielder Claudio Marchisio before hugging several teammates and rival players as he left the field in tears to a standing ovation.

Buffon has won nine Serie A and four Coppa Italia titles with Juventus and had kept 300 clean sheets heading into Saturday's match.

Buffon had announced on Thursday that he would leave Juventus at the end of the season but said he might still continue his playing career.

Daniele Rugani took the lead for Juventus from a rebound after Douglas Costa shot was thwarted by Verona goalkeeper Nicolas. Miralem Pjanic doubled the lead from a free-kick three minutes later. Alessio Cerci reduced the margin for Verona with a consolation goal in the 76th minute.

Stephan Lichtsteiner, who was also playing his final match for Juventus after seven seasons at the club, had a penalty saved by Nicolas in the 85th minute.

(With input from Reuters)