Gianluigi Buffon’s partner, TV presenter Ilaria D’Amico, describes living in lockdown with an extended family, taking the Juventus pay cut and why she’ll retire before he does.
The first Serie A player to be diagnosed with COVID-19 was Daniele Rugani, followed soon after by teammates Blaise Matuidi and Paulo Dybala.
“We were frightened at first, especially as Gigi is such an affectionate person who likes to hug his teammates,” D’Amico told Tuttosport.
Gianluigi Buffon’s partner, TV presenter Ilaria D’Amico, describes living in lockdown with an extended family, taking the Juventus pay cut and why she’ll retire before he does.
The first Serie A player to be diagnosed with COVID-19 was Daniele Rugani, followed soon after by teammates Blaise Matuidi and Paulo Dybala.
“We were frightened at first, especially as Gigi is such an affectionate person who likes to hug his teammates,” D’Amico told Tuttosport.
“When the team gets back together, he’ll have to hold back on that. We felt a little bit feverish, so until the test results came back negative, Gigi was isolated to one room to protect the children. I’d push his food in through the doorway and sleep in a different room.
“It was three days of apprehension, but after the test results, we breathed a sigh of relief and have been in a more united lockdown ever since. Gigi hasn’t left the house yet since the lockdown started. I take care of shopping for groceries, while he organises mini football tournaments in the garden. We even ordered a volleyball net online and have afternoon competitions.”
This is a very modern family, as both have children from previous marriages as well as their own kids together.
“It’s like a lifestyle experiment, because I don’t think we’d ever spent two months together with all four children, not even when we were on vacation. After 10 days, we were almost worried that we didn’t have a single argument. We’re very lucky.”
Buffon is expected to sign a new one-season contract with Juventus, which means he’ll be playing on until the age of 43.
“I might be a pensioner before Gigi retires!” joked Sky Sport Italia presenter D’Amico.
“We talk about everything, but since we got together six years ago, we’ve had the sacred rule that I only use for work what I know as a journalist via our reporters and not our private conversations. For example, I never want to know the line-up before a big game.
“Our littlest, Leopoldo, is four years old and crazy about being a goalkeeper. As a mother, I hope none of them follow that path, because I suffer like crazy when Gigi is playing. It’s a tough role, it feels like the game is never over.”
Juventus were the first Serie A side to accept a pay cut during the coronavirus pandemic, with Buffon, Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci organising the voluntary gesture.
“They were immediately in sync and I repeatedly heard them say: ‘We have to put ourselves in Juve’s shoes.’ They understood the needs of the club, as did all their teammates.
“Juventus made them feel a part of the club’s great history and they therefore consider themselves wedded to the club, in sickness and in health. They are ready to accept the sacrifice just as much as the glory."