A World Cup winner’s son made his professional debut for Serie B side Pisa on Sunday, a month after earning a first call-up to his Under 18 national team.
Unlike his legendary father, who made over 1000 senior appearances as a goalkeeper, the 17-year-old operates as a left forward.
He was introduced as a late substitute in Pisa’s 3-2 defeat at Spezia, replacing Marius Marin in the 84th minute.
Louis Buffon, the son of Gianluigi Buffon, has emerged as a rising star in Italy following his move to Pisa from CBS Scuola Calcio in the summer of 2023.
After delivering impressive performances for Pisa’s U17 and U19 sides, Gianluigi’s former team-mate and head coach Filippo Inzaghi promoted the youngster to the senior squad.
Inzaghi and Buffon spent most of their careers at Juventus and also played together on the Italy national team.
Gianluigi Buffon’s son, Louis, made his senior debut for Serie B side Pisa on Sunday afternoon
The 17-year-old was brought on by manager and Italy legend Filippo Inzaghi in the 84th minute
Louis’ father, who made 1151 appearances, is widely regarded as one of the best keepers ever
Even though Louis was born in Turin during his father’s seventh season in the black and white jersey, the youngster does not represent Italy’s national team, where Gianluigi earned 176 caps between 1997 and 2018.
Louis is also the son of Alena Seredova, with whom the 47-year-old icon parted ways in 2014 after a nine-year relationship. The pair has another son, David Lee.
Seredova is a model and actress who originates from the Czech Republic. Therefore, Louis, who also holds Italian nationality, has chosen to represent Czech Republic.
Louis has huge boots to fill, as his father is regarded by many as one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time, and holds a plethora of footballing records.
With 176 caps for Italy, Gianluigi is the most capped player in the history of the national team and fourth-most capped European international player ever.
The shot-stopper won 28 honours for club and country, as well as over 70 individual awards in his 28-year-long career.
In July 2001, 23-year-old Buffon left Parma to join Juventus for a £43.8million fee – the most expensive deal for a goalkeeper at the time.
The iconic goalkeeper made 685 appearances, the second-most in history for the Turin side, behind Alessandro Del Piero, who holds the record with 705 games.
Louis received his first call-up to the Czech Republic Under 18 national team last month
The 17-year-old player opted to represent Czech Republic over Italy due to his mother’s roots
Meanwhile, his father is the Italian national team’s most capped player ever with 176
Buffon could have topped the list had he not completed his shock move to Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2018, where he spent a season before returning to Juventus.
However, upon his return, the Italian was not an undisputed starter as he was during his best years, often being sidelined in favour of Poland international Wojciech Szczesny.
He featured in 29 matches while also winning his tenth Serie A title.
Two years later, he returned to his boyhood club Parma, over a free transfer, where he retired in 2023 at the age of 45.
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