Gianluigi Buffon sends clear message to Liverpool star | OneFootball

Italy’s team manager insists the Azzurri want their best players back

Gianluigi Buffon sends clear message to Liverpool star

Gianluigi Buffon has addressed the ongoing debate surrounding Federico Chiesa whose absence from the national team has sparked major discussion ahead of Italy’s crucial 2026 World Cup play off campaign.

Chiesa has not featured for Italy since Euro 2024 where the Azzurri exited in the Round of 16 against Switzerland.

The Liverpool forward declined subsequent call up under new head coach Gennaro Gattuso with the federation previously acknowledging that the player is dealing with "an issue that must be resolved"

Speaking to Football Italia, Buffon was direct:

He made clear that the door remains open for Chiesa but stressed that team principles come first:

Italy’s play off path for the 2026 World Cup

The UEFA draw placed Italy in challenging but manageable route beginning with semi final play off against Northern Ireland.

Other play off ties include: