Roberto Mancini has said Gianluigi Buffon has revealed his future plans to him and could even play again for Italy.
“I’ve spoken with him on the phone and he’s told me what his intentions are,” Mancini said at a news conference in Coverciano.
“He wants to carry on playing and anybody who is playing and is one of the best can be called up to the national team.
“I have just respected his wishes [not to be called up]. He told me a few days after I became Italy coach.”
Buffon could still be part of Mancini’s plans for their Nations League fixture with Poland in September, with the former Manchester City coach confirming he has many options in goal.
“I still need to have a good look at them because I’ve got three great goalkeepers and I feel there are others missing too,” Mancini said.
“We’re going to have to wait a while for the goalkeepers: we’ve got three games so all three [Gianluigi Donnarumma, Mattia Perin and Salvatore Sirigu] will play one each.”
Mancini also welcomes Mario Balotelli back for what is set to be his first Italy cap since the 2014 World Cup.
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