Juventus keeper Gigi Buffon penned an open letter to this goal he defends while thanking the entire team for making his record-breaking run possible.

Buffon broke the Serie A record for longest streak without conceding this weekend, totalling 974 minutes before finally being beaten by a Torino penalty.

The veteran keeper penned an open letter which he posted via his Facebook page, to the goal he has defended for so long.

“I was 12-years-old when I turned my back on you,” Buffon wrote .

“I denied my past to guarantee you a secure future. A choice of the heart, a choice of instinct. From the day I stopped looking at your face though, I began to love you. To protect you. To be your first and last line of defence.

“I promised myself I’d do everything not to see your face, or as much as I could. Every time I did was painful, having to turn round and realise I’d let you down.

“We’re always opposite and complementary, like the moon and the sun, forced to live together while never being able to touch. Teammates for life who are denied contact.

“Over 25 years ago I cast my vote, I swore to protect and guard you, to shield you against your enemies.

“I always thought about your wellbeing, over and above my own. Every time I turned to look at you I tried to bear your disappointed expression head-on, while always consciously feeling guilty.

“I was 12 when I turned my back on the goal, and I’ll continue to do so as long as my legs, my head and my heart hold out.”

This follows on from Gigi’s previous post, where he thanked the entire Juventus team for helping him break records.

“No record comes down to a single man and you can’t be number one outside of the group,” his message read. “So I’d like to thank…

“Neto, for the serenity he gives our whole team every time he takes to the pitch.

“Rubinho, silent and patient leader.

“Chiello, because he never gives up till the end.

“Caceres, for showing enthusiasm even in the hardest moments.

“Alex Sandro, because seeing him dribble a defender is always a pleasure.

“Barzagli: he must be cloned immediately.

“Bonucci, for his charisma, holding his head high and always working in the team’s service.

“Rugani, because being able to listen is a rare quality.

“Stephan, who represents the legs and lungs of this Juve.

“Evra. If we didn’t have him, we ought to buy him.

“Khedira, always the right man in the right place.

“Marchisio the only player I know whose colour is black/white.

“Pogba, because he doesn’t live football, he invents it.

“Hernanes, because every team needs its prophet.

“Lemina, who is simply a Juve type of man.

“Padoin, who does excellently wherever he’s placed.

“Asamoah, whose love of football is stronger than any injury.

“Sturaro, he fights, falls, gets back up and always wins.

“Pereyra, because creativity is the salt of this sport.

“Zaza, who was born to score from any position.

“Morata, we always need him.

“Cuadrado, because every time he starts running, it’s like he were saying ‘catch me if you can!’

“Mandzukic, the first to attack, and the first to defend.

“Dybala: if the shirt number 21 was given to him after being worn by [Lilian] Thuram, [Zinedine] Zidane and [Andrea] Pirlo, then there’s got to be a reason.

“And finally our Coach, a winner in the temple of winners!”