Louis Buffon Chooses Czech Republic U-18 Over Italy

Louis Buffon, the 17-year-old son of legendary Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, has made the surprising decision to represent the Czech Republic at the U18 level, rather than following in his father's footsteps with Italy. This choice has sparked controversy among Italian fans, as he is eligible through his mother, Alena Šeredová, a Czech model. Buffon, currently playing as a midfielder for Pisa’s reserve team, has received his first call-up for the Czech U18 squad, with potential matches against England and France on the horizon. While this move marks a departure from his father's legacy, FIFA regulations allow him the option to switch national allegiances in the future if he meets the criteria. His decision reflects a quest for personal identity amid the pressures of his family's footballing heritage. Despite this choice, there remains hope among Italian fans for a future return to the national team.