Gianluigi Buffon’s son, 17, handed professional debut by his former team-mate just two years after Italy icon retired
LOUIS Buffon, the son of Italy legend Gianluigi Buffon, made his professional debut for Serie B side Pisa.
Buffon, 17, was handed his first senior minutes by Gianluigi’s former team-mate and Pisa boss Filippo Inzaghi.
Unlike his legendary father, who made more than 1000 senior appearances as a goalkeeper, Louis operates as a left winger.
He was introduced as a late substitute in Pisa’s 3-2 defeat at Spezia, replacing Marius Marin in the 84th minute on Sunday.
Buffon Jr got the nod after impressing for Pisa’s under-17 and under-19 sides this season, scoring four goals in 19 appearances.
Pisa, who are second in the table, are looking to return to the top flight for the first time since 1991.
Dad Buffon retired from football with Serie B side Parma in 2023 at the age of 45.
Inzaghi and Buffon spent most of their careers at Juventus and also played together on the Italy national team.
It comes weeks after the teenager’s first international under-18 call up.
Turin-born Louis recently elected to represent the Czech Republic, where his mother is from, at under-18 level.
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS
Louis would still be available to eventually play for Italy, with only senior competitive caps cementing a national team position for a footballer’s entire career.
Dad Buffon played 176 times for his country before retiring in 2018, helping them win the World Cup in 2006.
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.
Buffon started at Parma in 1995 and won an Italian Cup, Italian Super Cup and Uefa Cup before joining Juventus in 2001.
He made 656 appearances for the Bianconeri, winning nine Serie A titles, a Serie B title, five Italian Cups and six Italian Super Cups.
Buffon then made a surprise move to Paris Saint-Germain for the 2018/19 campaign, playing 25 times and winning the Ligue 1 title before returning to Juventus.
He made a further 29 appearances in Turin while winning a tenth Serie A title before rejoining Parma in 2021.