Former Juventus winger Pavel Nedved says he would like to see Gianluigi Buffon playing on until he is 50, because he still has the enthusiasm of a teenager.

Buffon, 38, has announced his intention to retire at least from international football following the 2018 World Cup, although he may continue to play for Juventus beyond then.

According to Nedved, who is now a director of the Serie A club, there is no reason why the Italy number one cannot carry on playing -- even for another decade.

"When I see the passion with which Gigi Buffon trains, I would like to see him stay in our goal until he is 50," Nedved told idnes.cz.

"When he came back from Euro 2016, he told me he'd like to play on at least until the end of Russia 2018.

"He's always the first to arrive for training. He's honest and perfect."

Nedved played with Buffon in a Bianconeri shirt, but not in the 2003 Champions League final, which together with 2015, was the closest the Italian goalkeeper came to winning European club football's biggest prize.

"I missed that game because I picked up too many bookings," Nedved said. "That is the biggest disappointment of my career. It could have been my biggest success, but instead..."

The former Czech Republic midfielder said if he had one other regret, it was about a club he did not play for.

"I would have to say it would have been Manchester United," he added.

Ben Gladwell reports on Serie A, the Italian national team and the Bundesliga for ESPN FC, UEFA and the Press Association. @UEFAcomBenG.