Buffon jokes he might not retire until he's 65

Retirement is not on the horizon for Juventus and Italy veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon just yet - he hasn't even seriously entertained the thought.

The 38-year old 2006 World Cup winner revealed earlier this year that he will retire from international football following the 2018 World Cup in Russia, but said Monday that he plans on staying in club football for the long haul.

"I still do not feel like an old guy at the age of 38," Buffon told Tuttosport, as translated by ESPN FC. "Will I say farewell to the game in 10 years' time or in 15 years' time? Who knows, I might retire at the age of 65 ..."

The seven-time Serie A winner said although he still feels physically young, he has learned a few invaluable lessons from being in the game for so long.

"I have not lost an awful lot in my life, but the defeats have taught me more than the victories. Whenever I lose, I focus on the ability of my opponent and on the mistakes I made," Buffon said.

"Not looking for excuses is the right thing to do. I have made a lot of mistakes and I still make mistakes, but I am not ashamed to look for the reasons behind those mistakes."

The charismatic Italian is a firm believer in hard work and always making the right decision, even outside of his playing career.

"I turned down drugs when I was 13. A guy in Parma offered me them to have a bit of fun. I said no and three years later he died of an overdose. I believe in doing the right things, that is my character and personality," he explained.

Buffon has won almost every team and individual award possible other than the Champions League - he finished as a runner-up twice in the competition - a curse he hopes to snap in his upcoming years with the Bianconeri.