Juventus goalkeeper, Gianluigi Buffon, says his unexpected return to the Italy national team at the age of 40 is in honour of the late Davide Astori, who passed away this month.
The former Fiorentina captain passed away on March 4, at the age of 31, which sent shockwaves throughout the European nation and Buffon admits it has played a huge role in his decision to honour a national team call-up.
After initially retiring at the end of the failed 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign, the 2006 World Cup winner earned a surprise call-up along with Georgio Chiellini, who also announced his decision to quit the national team – but the latter has since withdrawn due to injury.
With the Azzurri in line to face Argentina and England this week, Buffon is in line to add to his 175 national team caps.
“He’s a reason why I’m here. I wanted to be present and respond to this feeling,” he told reporters, as quoted by Goal.
“I’m here because I’ve always been a person who has followed through with what they have said, with a sense of responsibility.
“These two things are enough, and what’s more, Di Biagio was very nice to me. The young guys have already grown up and will have the space they need.”
