Buffon supports Italian players moving abroad, Serie A ‘no longer the reference point’ | OneFootball

Gianluigi Buffon has expressed his support for Italian players moving abroad, particularly to the Premier League, but feels that Serie A ‘is no longer the reference point it once was’.

The Italy and Juventus legend spoke in-depth on a number of topics, including on the national team, the appointment of Gennaro Gattuso, his potential selections, Gianluigi Donnarumma and Sandro Tonali during an appearance at a conference in Milan on Tuesday.

Buffon on Gattuso and Donnarumma

He feels that Gattuso is already growing in confidence in his new role as CT of the Italy national team, and feels that visiting all Serie A clubs’ training grounds as part of his preparations has been a useful exercise.

ROME, ITALY – JUNE 19: Gianluigi Buffon, Italy new head coach Gennaro Gattuso and FIGC president Gabriele Gravina pose during the press conference at Hotel Parco dei Principi on June 19, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

“He was really excited, there’s always an emotional aspect when you get to a role like this,” Buffon said when asked about Gattuso’s appointment as head coach of the Italy national team (via TMW).

“Now, however, he’s gained confidence and awareness of what it takes to do this job at his best. This is why we’re carrying out this ‘pilgrimage’ to all the Serie A training grounds. We’re still missing a few teams off, but it’s a good way to create bonds with clubs and coaches.

“(The trust) is there, and you always need that in our job. You can never lack confidence in the team that we have, which is made up of excellent players. This is an important starting point, now it’s up to all of us to produce performances worthy of our name.”

From one Azzurri goalkeeper to another, Buffon also weighed in on the situation surrounding Donnarumma, who is reportedly in talks over a move to Manchester City after being forced out of Paris Saint-Germain.

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – JULY 13: Gianluigi Donnarumma #1 of Paris Saint-Germain looks on following the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Final match between Chelsea FC and Paris Saint-Germain at MetLife Stadium on July 13, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

“I’m waiting to see Gigio and talk to him in-person,” Buffon said.

“I know the coach has already heard from him several times, and they know what his future could look like depending on his choices. Apart from this specific moment, Donnarumma represents, and will always represent, a strength for the national team.”

Buffon on Italy strikers and players moving away from Serie A

Buffon was asked for his verdict on young Inter striker Pio Esposito.

“These evaluations are up to the coach,” he replied.  “The fact that we’re able to call up a player like him, given his performances and exponential growth, is something that makes us proud.

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JUNE 25: Francesco Esposito #94 of FC Internazionale Milano celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with Petar Sucic #8 and Lautaro Martinez #10 during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group E match between FC Internazionale Milano and CA River Plate at Lumen Field on June 25, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

“Don’t forget that we already have great players in attack like Kean, Retegui and Scamacca, who has recovered from his injury. Players of great value. We welcome the new recruits, but it’s important to know that we already have some guarantees.”

Buffon went on to explain why he feels that Italian players moving to the Premier League is of benefit to the national team.

“I think it’s a positive, because if you have six or seven players who play for the best teams in the world, it means that your national team will be at an increasingly higher level.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – AUGUST 17: Riccardo Calafiori of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammate Declan Rice during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford on August 17, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

“Today’s football has changed, and our evaluations must change as a result, too. Serie A is no longer the reference point it was in the past, but we’ve become a stepping stone in relation to other leagues where players can really ‘arrive’.

Buffon ended with a brief update on Tonali and his potential availability – or unavailability – for the upcoming September fixtures after his injury against Liverpool on Monday night.

“I know that the coach will have heard from him this morning, and then based on the medical evaluations, we will understand if we’re able to call him up or not.”