Gianluigi Buffon leaves door open to Italy return despite retirement

The 39-year-old quit after failing to qualify for Russia next summer

Buffon was named Italian player of the year on Monday (Getty)

Gianluigi Buffon has seemingly left the door open to a return with Italy football just two weeks after retiring from international football.

Following Italy’s play-off defeat to Sweden over two legs meaning they would not go to the World Cup in Russia next summer, Buffon announced his retirement from the national side with the expectation that he will retire from all football at the end of the season.

But despite the tearful goodbye to the international stage which culminated in missing the World Cup for the first time since 1958, Buffon has admitted that he could play for the Azzurri once again.

“I took a break from the national team,” Buffon said at the Gran Gala del Calcio in Milan on Monday.

“Both for Juventus and for the national team I have always considered myself a soldier. Even when I'm 60 I could never turn down any call because I have in me the concept of nation.”

Head coach Gian Piero Ventura left his post following the national team’s failure but Buffon refused to lay blame on the doorstep of his former manager.

“Ventura has done the best job he could, but unfortunately we were unable to score in the two games against Sweden,” Buffon added.

The Juventus goalkeeper was speaking after winning the best Italian player and best Italian goalkeeper at an awards ceremony on Monday.

“I’m happy and proud. I never thought I’d get this kind of trophy and I’ll hold tight to it because I’ve never won best youngster!”