For the Buffons, football is a family affair. No need to introduce Gianluigi, legend of Italy and Juventus. Retired, the 47-year-old former footballer occupies the role of director of the Italian delegation attached to the technical direction. He also closely follows the career of his son Louis. Born in 2007 in Turin, he played for Sisport Fiat Torino, a club affiliated with the Old Lady, before joining Juventus, where he did part of his training. Then, he moved to CBS Scuola Calcio before taking a license in Pisa in 2023. A club that he has not left since. There, the son of “Gigi” did his training with more or less success with the U17s and then the U19s. Last year, he was even able to take his first steps in Serie B.
A name that sticks to his skin and jersey
It was March 9 against Spezia. Louis Buffon had spent 6 minutes on the field, but it was an important first step in his career. This season, he appeared with the U19s (2 matches, 1 goal). But above all he is regularly in the professional group. In Serie A, he played 13 minutes against Bologna on October 5. He was also on the bench 8 times without coming into play. In the Italian Cup, he came on for 22 minutes against Torino on September 25. In short, the 17-year-old takes what he is given and continues his learning under the watchful eye of Alberto Gilardino. A coach who already seems fulfilled by him, just like the sporting director, David Baira.
“Louis Buffon is already physically ready and built to play in Serie A. He also has the mentality to reach the top, with an unusual maturity for a boy of his age. Technically and tactically, he has started to make significant progress: we firmly believe in his abilities.” And he’s not the only one. In the Czech Republic, the country of his mother Alena Seredova, he is seen as a future great. It should be remembered that he is an U19 international. On the bridge during the month of November, it shone brightly. Starting last Wednesday against Azerbaijan during qualifying for Euro U19, he scored a hat-trick as well as an assist. Mute against Malta three days later (13 minutes played), he scored again yesterday against Northern Ireland.
The Czech Republic is already conquered
Louis Buffon has done it again with a new hat-trick. In the Czech Republic, the press is enthusiastic about this great hope, like Denik Sport. “The Czech under-19 team beat Northern Ireland 4-0 in the final match of the first leg of qualifying for the European Championship. The son of legendary former Italian goalkeeper Louis Buffon scored a hat-trick. Coach Václav JĂlek’s team thus qualifies for the final qualifying phase in the spring (…) Louis Thomas Buffon is undoubtedly the most followed player in the national team. During the qualifications for the European Championship, he clearly demonstrated that he is not “just the son of a famous father.” He scored a hat-trick for the second time!” Sport.cz also knelt down.
“Another hat-trick! Buffon junior once again wore the national team jersey. It shined again! Louis Buffon, son of the legendary Italian goalkeeper, once again worked wonders during the Czech national team’s under-19 match. Author of his second hat-trick in three matches, he led his team to a 4-0 victory over Northern Ireland in qualifying for the European Championship. Buffon was largely responsible for this. He opened the scoring in the 35th minute, after missing a penalty, but recovered with a winning strike. The young striker then scored two other goals in the 42nd and 59th minutes (…) The son of Gianluigi Buffon, one of the greatest goalkeepers in history, has scored half of the twelve goals scored by the U19s since the start of the qualifiers.
Italy still believes in its chances
In Italy, the country where he was born and raised, his performances are also being closely monitored. THE Corriere dello Sport in mind. “It doesn’t stop anymore. The Pisa striker scored the hat-trick which opened the way for the Czechs, who, in the end, won 4-0 (…) This is the sixth goal in three matches with the Czech U19s. These are not his first goals for the national team: the striker, in fact, had already scored with the under-18s in the 4-1 against France on March 25. Today he will return to Pisa and will be at the disposal of Mr. Gilardino since Gigi’s son, although he is only 17 years old, is definitely part of the first team group and has already made his debut in Serie A. Who knows if the coach of the Tuscan Nerazzurri, who follows him with great attention, will decide to give him more space and start him immediately from the first minute on the pitch.
La Gazzetta dello Sport also looked into his case. “Buffon Jr. is unstoppable: six goals in three matches against the Czech Republic (…) After his hat-trick against Azerbaijan last Wednesday, here is another against Northern Ireland: both matches were qualifiers for the next European Under-19 Championship. In short, an extraordinary coincidence. Questions arise. The first: why doesn’t he play for Italy? The second: what kind of footballer is he? (…) Buffon Jr is a number 10 disguised as a number 9, a player like Kane and Higuain: technical, with an excellent vision of the game, he knows how to make his team play, he attacks the lines and projects himself forward. Bonus: he also masters dribbling, because he is comfortable on the wings, preferably on the left.
Buffon Jr’s mother is clear
Concerning his selection choice, he explained: “Together with my family, we decided that it would be beneficial for my football career. We believe this is the best solution for my development as a footballer.” But the GoS don’t despair of seeing him change his mind: “no Italy for the moment… but nothing is definitive, because he can always come back and choose the Squadra Azzurra. And anyway, if he ever finds himself at a crossroads, it will mean that he has succeeded. In the meantime, he has already enjoyed some success with Pisa. The latest: his debut in Serie A against Bologna. At just 17 years and 281 days old, he became the youngest player to make his national team debut in the Tuscan club’s history. All after convincing Gilardino with a superb goal during a friendly match this summer. Sports Mediaset Don’t rule out this option too. “A transfer to Italy remains a possibility for Buffon Jr.”
But Italy clearly does not have its chances at the moment if we rely on the statements of his mother, Alena Seredova. Questioned by the Czech media TN this Wednesday, she confided about her son who will celebrate his 18th birthday on December 28: “I am proud of my son’s behavior and character. He’s a boy with no problems. He will graduate this year, so everything will be easier afterwards. Three goals is a lot, but I’m happy he made his dream come true. I wish he wouldn’t care about the stupid comments I read under every article. I know this from experience, but at his age… people can be mean. I’m not talking about the Czechs so much as the Italians. They probably write that because he chose the Czech Republic. At that age, it can hurt, so I always tell him not to read them. I wish he wouldn’t care.” The message is rather clear. But Italy, which does not want to let such talent slip away, does not intend to give up.
