Italy legend Gianluigi Buffon’s son, 17, named in rival nation’s squad and could face England within days

THE SON of Italy legend Gianluigi Buffon has received his first international call-up… for another country.

Louis Buffon, 17, is a midfielder plying his trade in Italy for Pisa’s youth side.

But he is best known as the son of iconic former goalkeeper Gigi Buffon, who made over 1,000 professional appearances during his glittering career.

The 47-year-old played for Parma, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain over the course of 28 years before retiring in 2023.

And now his son Louis is hoping to continue his family legacy in Italian football with Serie B side Pisa.

The winger is yet to make a senior appearance for the club but has impressed with four goals in 19 youth outings this term.

As a reward, Louis has now been handed his first-ever U18 international call-up.

But he has NOT been selected by Italy.

Dad Buffon played 176 times for his country before retiring in 2018, helping them win the World Cup in 2006.

However, Louis’ mother Alena Seredova hails from the Czech Republic.

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She and Buffon Snr were together for nine years before they parted ways in 2014.

And as a result of his mother’s nationality, Louis is a dual citizen of Italy and Czechia.

Now, the latter have called him up to their U18s squad for the first time.

Louis would still be available to eventually play for Italy, with only senior competitive caps cementing a national team position for a footballer’s entire career.

But his decision to accept the nod indicates Louis plans on eventually representing his mother’s country over his father’s.

The teen could now make his debut against England next month.

The two sides meet on March 21 in a friendly, although the venue is yet to be confirmed.

Yet Louis will have to have some career to match his father’s achievements, with Buffon Snr also playing 975 club games on top of his mega international record.

Buffon started at Parma in 1995 and won an Italian Cup, Italian Super Cup and Uefa Cup before joining Juventus in 2001.

He made 656 appearances for the Bianconeri, winning nine Serie A titles, a Serie B title, five Italian Cups and six Italian Super Cups.

Buffon then made a surprise move to Paris Saint-Germain for the 2018/19 campaign, playing 25 times and winning the Ligue 1 title before returning to Juventus.

He made a further 29 appearances in Turin while winning a tenth Serie A title before rejoining Parma in 2021.

And after 45 games in Serie B for his boyhood club, Buffon called it a day nearly two years ago.

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk