Goalkeeper Buffon faces lay-off after back operation

Juventus and Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon will be out to the end of the year after undergoing surgery on a herniated disc late on Sunday, Gazzetta dello Sport reported on Monday.

“Gigi Buffon has had herniated disc surgery – it was completely successful,” the Gazzetta reported.

“Given the time required to recover, at least four months, the keeper should be ready to return to playing around December.”

Buffon – who was outstanding when Italy won the 2006 World Cup – suffered the injury in training ahead of Italy’s World Cup opener against Paraguay and had to go off at half-time, the injury ending his tournament.

Buffon, 32, has had back problems for two-and-a-half years, dating back to January 2008 when he missed three weeks due to the same injury.

This time he elected to have surgery.

“I have always put the interests of the team first and put off surgery but now I have to think of myself to resolve this problem once and for all,” the Gazzetta quoted Buffon as saying.