Florencia -
Gianluigi Buffon would be considered by coach Roberto Mancini if the goalkeeper decides to return to the Italian national team.
Buffon retired from the national team in November after Italy was eliminated by Sweden in the World Cup qualifying play-offs, but he wore the national shirt again for some friendly matches in March.
It was expected that his final farewell from the Azzurri would come in another friendly match: on June 4 against the Netherlands at the Allianz Stadium. But in a press conference last week where he announced his departure from Juventus, Buffon insisted that he had already played his last of his 176 matches with his country.
Read also: Gianluigi Buffon bid farewell to Juventus with victory over Verona
"I spoke with Gigi on the phone a few days ago after my appointment as national team coach," Mancini said on Thursday. "It was a quick chat. He explained to me what he has in mind, he wants to keep playing."
Mancini, who was confirmed as Italy's new coach last week, made his first call-up on Saturday and included Mario Balotelli, who could play his first match with the national team in almost four years.
Mancini's debut will be on Monday against Saudi Arabia in Switzerland, followed by matches against France and the Netherlands. His first competitive match will be in the new Nations League in September. (D)