(see related)
Gianluigi Buffon said Saturday that he
took up the offer to become part of Italy coach Roberto
Mancini's backroom staff because he has not lost his desire to
keep winning after hanging up his boots as a player this week.
"I'm returning to the national team because that kid who went
through the gates of (Azzurri training centre) Coverciano for
the first time 30 years ago still has the desire to dream and
experience the dream with the Italian fans," the 45-year-old
goalkeeping great said.
"The national team comes before everything and nothing would
have stopped me returning home.
"The Italy shirt has always been a part of my life.
"I wore it with pride and honoured it with commitment.
"I cried when we won the World Cup and when we didn't manage to
qualify (for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments)".
Italian Soccer Federation (FIGC) President Gabriele Gravina said
that it was "a great day for the Italian national team.
"Buffon is a icon of our football and a special person," he
added.
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