The now 17-year-old left winger Louis Buffon, son of the legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, has made his choice, a choice that surprises and outrages many Italians.
Louis Buffon made his professional debut for Pisa in a 3-2 Serie B defeat to Spezia at the Stadio Alberto Picco earlier this month. And he has a level that makes him relevant for the national team.
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Louis Buffon, the son of Italian world champion Gianluigi Buffon, says his international future lies with the Czech Republic, not his father’s homeland. He has been selected for the Czech U18 national team for matches against England, France and Portugal.
Buffon has qualified for the Czech national team through her mother, model Alena Šeredová. – Alena Šeredová was crowned Miss Czech Republic 1998 and represented her country at Miss World later that year where he landed in 5th place. – She has two children with Gianluigi Buffon, whom she divorced in 2014 after a three-year marriage.
And the teenager, who made his professional debut for Pisa in the Italian second division earlier this month, says he will remain loyal to his mother’s country of birth. “I spoke to my family, and we decided that playing for the Czech Republic would be best for my football career and development,” Buffon said in an interview with the Czech Football Federation (FACR).
This means that he will not follow in the footsteps of his father Gianluigi, who was part of the Italian team that won the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
Gianluigi Buffon played a major role in that success as part of an illustrious 28-year career, winning 176 caps for Italy, 10 Serie A titles with Juventus, as well as Ligue 1 with Paris St-Germain and the 1999 UEFA Cup with Parma.
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But his son added: “Of course, my mother was very happy, but my father was also excited because it was my first international selection. He also advised me to play for the Czech Republic, because that’s the best way I can develop as a player.”
Louis was first selected for the Czech U18 team for a training session in February, which attracted international media interest.
“Honestly, I didn’t expect it, but I’ve grown up under a microscope with my parents since I was a kid, and I hope they’ve taught me what to do and say,” he said.
Louis would also have no problem possibly playing against Italy, adding: “I was born and grew up in Italy, but I think that in order to be 100% professional and do my job the best I can, I have to see every game as important, whether it’s against Italy or another national team.”
