Italian goalkeeping icon Gianluigi Buffon has sent a powerful message to Manuel Neuer as the Bayern Munich captain hits a major career milestone. The World Cup winner believes the German player still has half a decade of elite football left in his locker, despite turning 40 as his contract with the German giants runs down.

He’s following in his father’s illustrious footballing footsteps, and making a big splash on the international football scene, but not in the position, or for the country, many would imagine. Louis Thomas Buffon, son of the legendary former Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi, scored two hat-tricks during the November break in Under-19 European Championship qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Northern Ireland.

Juventus legends Gianluigi Buffon and Fabio Capello have been vocal in their endorsements of Luciano Spalletti to take over as head coach following the sacking of Igor Tudor. The ex-Italy and Napoli coach is reportedly in talks to with the Serie A side, who are in a desperate scramble to salvage their season amid the eight-game winless run that resulted in the Croatian's dismissal.

Legendary Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon's son Louis, a winger, has made his Serie A debut for Pisa - 30 years after his father made his bow in the league. The 17-year-old, part of Pisa’s squad since 2023, made his first Serie A appearance on Sunday, albeit in a difficult 4-0 defeat against Bologna at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara.