Gigi Buffon admits Roberto Mancini has some responsibility for Italy’s World Cup fiasco and believes he wouldn’t be called up had Italy qualified for Qatar 2022.
The 2006 Italy World Cup winner played his last game with the Azzurri against Argentina in 2018. Gian Piero Ventura had already been sacked after failing to qualify for Russia 2018 and Gigi Di Biagio was in charge of the Azzurri, waiting for Roberto Mancini’s appointment.
Buffon has not officially retired from international football and was hoping to get a call-up for Qatar 2022 if Italy had qualified.
“Meritocracy is on my side, but I don’t think I’d have been called up,” he told La Stampa newspaper.
“There are other things that have precedence and that must be respected. Given the choices made in the last few years, it’s the right thing.”
Buffon had claimed in previous interviews that he hoped to play at Qatar 2022.
“When Slovakia eliminated us at the 2010 World Cup, I understood that things were changing and that we should have also celebrated for qualifying,” he continued.
“Since then, we’ve had illusions, glory moments such as the Euros, but I was not wrong. We are unique, we know how to stick together in difficult moments, but when we are not super-motivated, we can lose against anyone.”
Buffon partially blamed Mancini for Italy’s elimination from the World Cup play-offs. The Azzurri did not even manage to beat North Macedonia in the semis, suffering a 1-0 loss in Palermo.
“Mancini was the main architect of our rebirth, with the win at Euros. However, he also has responsibility after such a huge blow,” the goalkeeper said.
“There are many ways to be eliminated. Nobody would say anything had Italy been eliminated on penalties by Portugal, but after losing to North Macedonia, it’s much more difficult to start again.”
Buffon is under contract with Parma in Serie B and has recently extended his stay at the club until 2024, when he’ll be 46.