Buffon: "There is only one talented player in Italy"
The PSG keeper lamented the state of the Azzurri in an interview with La Gazzetta and suggested their is little possibility of reversing his decision to retire.
Gianluigi Buffon laid into the state of the Italian national team in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport and said that he will not consider coming out of retirement for the Azzurri’s Euro 2020 qualifying campaign for the sake of it.
Speaking of Italy, who failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup after being beaten over two legs by Sweden in the playoffs – the first time the four-times champions had not reached the finals since 1958 – Buffon was far from complimentary about the pool of players at Roberto Mancini’s disposal: “There is only one talented player in Italy and that is [Marco] Verratti,” the PSG keeper said of his teammate. “He is an incredible player, with ability well above the level of others and a beautiful touch. He is a genius that not everybody understands.”
Buffon on Italy return: "I am happy at home with my family"
The 40-year-old, who moved to the Parc des Princes last summer after a glittering career at Juventus and has alternated between the sticks with Alphonse Areola for the Ligue 1 champions this season, was also asked about the possibility of strapping on his gloves for his country again. “I was very clear when I spoke to Roberto Mancini. At the age of 40 I don’t want to be called up just because I have said that I will always be available. I am happy at home with my family trying to make up for all the time I lost with them in service to the Italy national team.”
Buffon is Italy’s most-capped played with 176 appearances for the Azzurri, 40 more than second-placed Fabio Cannavaro and participated in five World Cups and four European Championships, lifting the former in 2006 in Germany.
| Classification | PTS | WM | TM | LM |
|---|
| Upcoming matches |
|---|
