Louis Buffon makes Serie A debut 30 years after legendary Gianluigi | OneFootball

Louis Thomas Buffon, the son of legendary former Italy and Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, has made his debut in Serie A on Sunday afternoon, appearing off the bench in the second half of Pisa’s 4-0 defeat by Bologna.

Louis Buffon earns Serie A debut

30 years after Gianluigi Buffon’s debut in Serie A, his son Thomas has now also made his bow in the Italian top flight, albeit as a late substitute in a 4-0 hammering at the Dall’Ara.

Louis Buffon, who has been with Pisa since 2023, was named among the substitutes for Pisa’s game against Bologna. His side were reduced to 10 men after 36 minutes, which led to a 4-0 onslaught: Nicolo Cambiaghi, Nikola Moro, Riccardo Orsolini and Jens Odgaard with the goals.

BOLOGNA, ITALY – OCTOBER 05: Nicolo Cambiaghi of Bologna FC 1909 celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammates during the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and Pisa SC at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on October 05, 2025 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

With Bologna leading by four goals and with the game practically over by the 53rd minute, there was an opportunity for Alberto Gilardino to hand a first Serie A appearance to the 17-year-old Louis Buffon, who came on as a replacement for M’Bala Nzola in the 77th minute.

The teenager is an attacker, typically a winger, although played slightly more centrally in his 15-minute appearance against Bologna.

Paulo Dybala swaps shirts with Louis Buffon after Roma’s 1-0 win away against Pisa. (@tommasoturci

The 17-year-old has made three youth international appearances for Czechia, eligible through his mother. He remains eligible to represent Italy at different age groups.