Gianluigi Buffon has stepped away from his role with the Italy national team after their failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, calling it a decision driven by responsibility.
The move follows a painful campaign that ended with Italy missing out on the tournament.
It also marks a significant moment for one of the most influential figures in Italian football.
Gianluigi Buffon’s Italy decision confirmed after World Cup failure
Gianluigi Buffon confirmed his decision in a statement shared via X, explaining how the moment unfolded immediately after the decisive match.
He revealed how quickly the decision came to him, saying, “Resigning one minute after the end of the match against Bosnia was an urgent act, one that came from deep within me. As spontaneous as the tears and that heartache that I know I share with all of you.”
Buffon added that he was initially asked to pause, but circumstances changed, stating, “I was asked to hold off, to give everyone time to reflect properly.”
He then confirmed the turning point, explaining, “Now that President Gravina has chosen to step back, I feel free to do what I sense as an act of responsibility.”
The context was clear. Italy’s failure to reach the World Cup ultimately defined the outcome, as Buffon admitted, “the main goal was to bring Italy back to the World Cup. And we didn’t succeed.”
Gianluigi Buffon reflects on Italy’s role and future direction
Buffon used his statement to reflect on his time working within Italy’s national setup and the broader project behind the scenes.
He made clear the role went beyond results, saying, “Representing the National Team is for me an honor and a passion that has consumed me since I was a kid.”
He outlined the work done across different levels, adding, “I tried to carry out my role by putting all my energy into it, looking at all sectors to be a link, a point of dialogue and synergy between the various youth teams.”
That long-term vision included structural changes, with Buffon explaining, “I requested and obtained the inclusion of a few, important figures with strong experience… bringing about these necessary changes with a medium- and long-term vision.”
Ultimately, he accepted the need for change, stating, “It’s right to leave it to whoever comes after me the freedom to choose the figure they deem best to fill my role.”
He closed with a message that underlined both pride and disappointment, saying, “I carry everything in my heart, with gratitude for the privilege… Forza Azzurri always.”
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