GIANLUIGI BUFFON’S son Louis has pledged to play for the Czech Republic, rather than Italy.
His legendary father, 47, played 176 times for the Azzurri and won the 2006 World Cup.
Instead of following in his old man’s footsteps, however, Louis will represent the Czech Republic, where his mother Alena Seredova hails from.
Louis, 17, earned his first team debut for Pisa in Serie B earlier this month, playing under his father’s former Italy team-mate Filippo Inzaghi.
The winger has been rewarded with a first call up to the Czech Under-18s squad.
His side will face England, France and Portugal during this international break.
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Upon receiving his maiden call-up, Louis explained his decision to the Czech media team.
He said: “I was very happy to come to the meeting and curious about the different football culture.
“I spoke with my family and together we decided that it would be better for my football career and my development as a player to play for the Czech Republic.
“My mother, of course, was very happy, but my father was also excited because it was my first call-up for the national team.”
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Gianluigi began his relationship with Czech model and TV presenter Alena in 2005.
The pair wed in 2011, before splitting up three years later.
Louis was born in Turin and is not fluent in his mother’s language.
Although he has vowed to keep working on his linguistic skills.
He continued: “I don’t speak Czech very well yet, but as soon as I found out I could come here, I started learning it.
“I spend about 10 minutes on Duolingo every day.”
Louis could come up against the country of his birth while playing for the Czech Republic.
But he claims that he would not treat such a match any differently.
Louis added: “I was born and raised in Italy, but I think that in order to be a 100 per cent professional and do my job as well as possible, every match has to be important for me, whether it is against Italy or any other national team.”
