Buffon's son opts for Czech national team over Italy
Louis Thomas Buffon, the son of Italian goalkeeping legend Gianluigi Buffon and Czech model Alena Seredova, said Wednesday he saw his future with the Czech national team rather than Italy.
The 17-year-old winger, who made his Serie B debut with Pisa earlier this month, has arrived in Prague for the Czech Under-18 team's training camp ahead of a tournament in Portugal.
"I talked to the family and we decided that playing for the Czech Republic would be best for my football career and my development," Buffon said in an interview for the Czech Football Association (FACR).
Buffon was first called up for a training camp in February and now he will try to secure a place in the squad in games against England, France and Portugal.
"My mum was naturally very happy but my dad was excited too because it was my first national team call-up," Buffon said.
"He also advised me to play for the Czech Republic, because it's the best way I can evolve as a player."
Despite having a Czech mother, Buffon admitted he was struggling with the tricky language.
"I don't speak Czech really well but when I found out I could come here, I started to learn," he said.
"I spend about 10 minutes on Duolingo every day," he added.
Buffon Jr's arrival for the February training camp sparked remarkable interest among fans and media.
"Honestly, I didn't expect that, but I have grown up under a microscope with my parents since I was a child and I hope they have taught me what to do and say," he said.
Buffon said he would not have a problem playing against Italy some day.
"I was born and grew up in Italy, but I think that to be a 100-percent professional and do my job as best I can, I have to see each game as important, whether against Italy or another national team," he added.
Gianluigi Buffon, who won 10 Serie A titles with Juventus and led Italy to the 2006 World Cup title, married model, TV show host and actress Seredova in Prague in 2011.
The couple who have two sons divorced three years later.