Gianluigi Buffon says Marco Verratti is Italy's 'only real talent' | OneFootball

When asked about Verratti, he told reporters that his talent level was so high, he often has difficulty playing with “normal players.”

“At this moment, the only real talent in Italian football, for his personality with which he plays matches, for his touch, his vision.

“So much so that, sometimes, if he plays with normal players, he struggles because they don’t understand him. Sometimes, the great players find difficulty in being understood by others.

“But I have to say that, here, Marco is lucky to play alongside great players who are immediately able to understand where the ball will go and where they want it so you see that all his moves are facilitated.”

Buffon also hinted that new Italy manager Roberto Mancini has given him a chance to re-join the national team but turned it down.

“For the national side, I have sometimes given a little more,” Buffon said. “And sometimes it hasn’t been recognised.

“Unfortunately, at 40, you don’t have that much desire to appear the one who has to be there by any means necessary.

“I’m happy at home with my children, my family who I have had a lot of time away from because of the national side.

“So I told the manager exactly this. He understood and respected my thoughts.”