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.
Getty Images SportSon follows in famous footsteps of Buffon
Pisa were reduced to 10 men after 36 minutes, which opened the floodgates for Bologna. Nicolo Cambiaghi, Nikola Moro, Riccardo Orsolini, and Jens Odgaard ruthlessly punished the visitors, leaving them 4-0 down by the 53rd minute. With the game effectively over, coach Alberto Gilardino seized the chance to give Louis a taste of Serie A football. He came on as a 77th-minute substitute for M’Bala Nzola, giving him 15 minutes of action in front of a hostile Bologna crowd.
AdvertisementYoung Buffon's international credentials
Though born in Italy, Louis has made three youth appearances for Czechia, eligible through his mother, while still keeping the door open to represent Italy at various youth levels. At just 17, the winger now carries both his father’s legendary name and the weight of expectation that comes with it.
Watch the highlights of Buffon's debutStruggling start to the season for Pisa
Pisa have returned to Serie A for the first time since 1991. The team remains winless after six games, conceding 10 goals in the process. And Sunday’s hammering by Bologna only highlighted the challenges that face the newly-promoted side.