Gianluigi Buffon: Italy Have a Chance to Defend, and I’ll Use My World Cup-Winning Experience to Help the Squad

According to Italian media reports, legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, as part of Italy’s Euro squad, believes his experience can help the team become “the stars of the Euros.”

Italy will face Albania in their first Group match this Saturday, followed by matches against Spain and Croatia. As team manager under Coach Roberto Mancini, Buffon’s role is similar to that of Gabriele Viiali during the 2020 Euros – it’s his first time as a backroom staff member at a major international tournament.

In an interview with Vivo Azzurro TV, Buffon shared, “It’s an unusual feeling. It’s been a very long time since I’ve felt such excitement. As the competition draws closer, adrenaline starts to rise, probably a natural response after thirty years of professional football.”

Winning the World Cup as the starting goalkeeper in Germany in 2006, Buffon now hopes to pass on his wisdom to the current Italian national team. He said, “I’m trying to contribute to the team, leveraging my experience from when I played, giving the guys some extra support for thrilling moments or challenging times. I want them to enjoy the matches, so that when they look back in the future, they’ll realize how fortunate they were to have experienced these events. The Italian players are good enough, and if they perform at their best, I believe the team can be protagonists in this Euro championship.”