Gianluigi Buffon, Italy’s new Delegation Chief, was unveiled on Monday at Coverciano praising Luciano Spalletti, Gigio Donnarumma and emerging Italy keepers and explaining why he won’t play a farewell match.
Buffon was unveiled at a press conference with FIGC President Gabriele Gravina on Monday. Spalletti was also present sitting in the first rows of Coverciano’s press room.
“I thank those who wanted me here. The federation and the coach. I am proud and happy to be here,” Buffon said during his first press conference, attended by Football Italia.
“I return to a place which, I think, I know quite well. I hope I can give my contribution to the dynamics we’ll live in the future.”
Buffon replaces Gianluca Vialli who covered the same role from 2019 until December 2022. The legendary striker died of pancreatic cancer in January 2023.
“I have a great memory of him. Our rapport was extraordinary on and off the pitch,” said Buffon.
“We continued swapping shirts after the end of his career and we shared so many things. Each one of us has his own story, so it would be wrong to come here and try to replicate Vialli. I would not be up to the task. I’ll try to be myself, which is the reason why I’ve always been appreciated.”
Buffon retired less than a month ago despite having one year left in his contract with Serie B side Parma. The 45-year-old revealed the exact moment he decided to hang his boots and why he won’t play a farewell match.
“I have no regrets. Still today, I receive offers to play a farewell game, but when I close a chapter I need to go ahead and think of what’s coming next,” he said.
“It was nice [to be a footballer] but now a new adventure begins and a farewell game would only give me a sense of nostalgia which I don’t want.
“It was not difficult [to decide to retire]. At my age, it was something natural to consider. I had prepared myself to be ready for the Serie B playoffs at the end of the season. I was fully fit, physically and mentally, but I got injured in Cagliari. That was the sign I had to quit. When I was in the dressing room at Cagliari, I had already decided.”
Buffon had suffered a muscle injury during the first leg of a Serie B playoff semifinal against the Sardinians and missed the second leg in Parma the following week. The Ducali were eventually eliminated, while Cagliari were promoted to Serie A after beating Bari in the Final.
Spalletti has called Donnarumma, Alex Meret, Ivan Provedel and Guglielmo Vicario for the next two games against North Macedonia and Ukraine and Buffon was asked his verdict on Italy’s keepers, including those who are not part of the current team.
“I have to say that our options have grown and now there are five or six keepers at a very high level plus Donnarumma who can no longer be considered as a young lad, despite his age. He’s up there with the best in the world,” argued Buffon.
“All the others are doing good things, starting from Vicario who has an important chance to develop in the Premier League. Then Meret, Lecce’s Falcone and Di Gregorio in Monza. There are many keepers who are proving to be reliable. Carnesecchi is not playing at Atalanta, but the season is long and Provedel was, maybe, the best keeper in Serie A last season. We will be in safe hands if Gigio has a cold.
“I saw Gigio on TV. I saw some saves, I saw him grow up through some errors,” continued Gigi.
“Mistakes can help grow, especially when one pays personally. When it happens, you grow much more. Now he’s a man, he’s older than 24, so he’s on the avenue of maturity, at least on a professional level.”
The press conference continued with a question on the state of Italian football.
“We’ve had highs and lows. We didn’t qualify for the World Cup, but we won the Euros so perhaps the truth is in between and this should reassure us,” noted Buffon.
“I’ve been lucky to stay close to the president and the coach during these days and I have to say I heard great things about concepts and values that are crucial to reach a minimum target. I have the feeling that Italy has found the right man at the right time, and I am not talking about myself.”
Buffon played his last Italy game in 2018, months after the Azzurri’s elimination from the World Cup playoffs against Sweden. If Italy had qualified for Russia 2018, Buffon would have become the only footballer to have ever played six World Cups.
“It’s a regret because I would have been the only one in history, but life has treated me well and, until now, I have been repaid,” he said.
“These things must be accepted by a man of sports. I think I’ve always been altruistic and even the fact of being alone with six World Cups played would make me feel uncomfortable because I like to share things with other people.”
Buffon first trained at Coverciano in 1993 when he was playing for Italy’s youth teams. He won the 2006 World Cup and is the player with the most Azzurri appearances. How does it feel to be back?
“I’ve always felt Coverciano was probably too big for me,” he admitted.
“It was clear I deserved but I’ve always respected this place which, to me, it’s always been unique and a reason to live. During my career, I met champions who no longer appreciate the value of certain things. They think they are even bigger than their clubs and, to me, they don’t approach this sport in the right way.”
Buffon was also asked his thoughts on his ex-teammate Leonardo Bonucci and whether the ex-Juventus veteran could be given a chance by Spalletti.
“I am not entitled to reply to this question, I’ve been here for literally 10 minutes,” said Buffon.
“We spoke a couple of times this summer. Leo made a thoughtful decision. He is accustomed to fighting in life, he took a difficult decision and perhaps he is not super happy, but he decided not to give up and this is an important lesson.”
Bonucci had been frozen out of Juventus and joined Bundesliga side Union Berlin on the deadline day.
Lastly, Buffon replied to questions about Roberto Mancini’s resignation and what he’ll tell players as Italy’s delegation chief.
“Well, the President has already spoken [about Mancini]. I can say it was an unexpected decision to which the FIGC has replied quickly and convincingly which is the most important thing.
“I believe that one must say something when there is a void or when you feel something has not been said. But even during today’s meeting, Spalletti said everything. I think that with a coach like this, I won’t need to add much.”