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Buffon picks up Best FIFA Goalkeeper award

REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

Gianluigi Buffon's legend grows by the day.

The Juventus shot-stopper, now 39, picked up the 2017 Best FIFA Goalkeeper award on Monday - the latest addition to the Italian icon's ever-growing trophy case.

Buffon pipped Bayern Munich's Manuel Neuer and Real Madrid's Keylor Navas for the top prize. It's the first time FIFA has handed out this award.

"This is a great honour to receive this award at my age," Buffon said, as quoted by FIFA.com. "I want to thank my club, my coach and my teammates, because they help make this possible. I want to say thanks to all the people who voted for me. I would like to finish with a fantastic victory if it's possible."

Buffon enjoyed a strong 2016-17 season, helping the Bianconeri to a sixth consecutive Serie A title, a berth in the Champions League final, and a Coppa Italia victory.

He's previously earned Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year on 11 occasions, the FIFA World Cup Yashin Award in 2006, the UEFA Club Goalkeeper of the Year awards in 2002-03 and 2016-17, and was a Ballon d'Or runner-up in 2006.

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