Italian legend Gianluigi Buffon gave an interview where he discussed Juventus’ recent situation, the current state of the Italy national team, and looked back on his career from debut to retirement.
On retirement
Nobody expected me to retire – what do I think about it? I once believed in the fairy tale of never stopping playing football. But I have to admit, that’s just how life is.
Making his debut for Parma against Milan 30 years ago – did you ever imagine becoming the Buffon of today?
If I said no, I’d be lying. I foresaw all this, and even thought I could do better. Later, reality gave me feedback, and ultimately it taught me to be at peace with everything I’ve done. It’s extremely difficult to maintain form at the top level for 29 consecutive years.
Any regrets in your career?No. I’ve done everything I wanted to do, including every choice I made – I have no regrets. My performances on the pitch proved these decisions were correct.
What do you think about your national team debut in the snow in 1997?To be honest, that’s the only game I didn’t want to play. Not because of its importance, but because the weather and environmental conditions were so harsh back then.
How do you evaluate the current Italy national team?
Beyond the November matches, we should take a broader view. The team has shown signs of recovery – positive ones. Although the last game didn’t end ideally, the result was acceptable. We were 1-1 against Norway until the 75th minute, and I saw a national team full of hope.
Having experienced the 2006 peak and the 2018 low – how do you view such ups and downs?
I lived through the best times and part of the worst – that’s fair. My sports career spanned a long time, so it’s normal to go through these phases. Like everything else, starting over often begins at a low point, such as 2018, but then Mancini and the young players won Euro 2020. After another exit, we hope to start again this time. May the satisfactory results last longer.
How do you rate Gattuso’s coaching and the current team?
It should be evaluated by those who are in contact with the team and don’t do my job. If I say good things, it might seem like I’m defending an established choice. Objectively speaking, we have the foundation to achieve good results. Although there’s never absolute certainty, if we fall short of expectations, we can honestly say we gave it our all.
U21 coach Baldini said Italy “wants” rather than “must” go to the World Cup – what do you think?
Of course. This must be our belief – nothing else. It would be too pessimistic to be dejected four months in advance. At the very least, we need to adjust our mindset in the play-offs, face opponents with respect, but clearly know who we are, so we should make the opponents fear us.
Is Donnarumma the only top-level player in the Italy national team?
Donnarumma is indeed doing extraordinary things and deserves recognition. But the national team has many high-level players who play important roles in world-class clubs. The key is to make them learn to think as a team. They have great potential and need to find the secret to sustained performance.
What does Zaniolo’s revival at Udinese mean?
Positive signs have emerged, and both the coach and I hope to see more. As the coach said, the national team is open to everyone who deserves it. He has no biases.
How supportive are Serie A clubs of the national team?
We should applaud the clubs – they not only pay attention to the national team’s needs but also care about Italian football as a whole. We are discussing whether we can arrange two days of training in February or March, even if the league schedule remains unchanged. The clubs have shown a willingness to fully cooperate, which is reassuring. It’s too easy to shed hypocritical tears when things are irreversible.
What are the prospects of Spalletti coaching Juventus?
The ability of the club’s management lies in evaluating the coach’s depth and potential, not just current results. At Juventus, winning is always a must. Although this hasn’t been well achieved in recent years, the focus should be on equipping the team to win.
How do you view the Serie A title race this season?
The league is very exciting, and the competition is thrilling. Many teams can cause trouble for the strong teams at any time. First of all, I have to mention Como – I must admit Fabregas has done an excellent job, and the club’s project is visionary. Among other teams, Bologna is not a surprise to me. They’ve done well, but it’s within their capabilities. The past two years have proven that under this coach, Bologna can harbor ambitions.
