Gianluigi Buffon stands by the touchline, instantly recognisable as a symbol, not just another figure. With his large hands tucked in his pockets and an attentive gaze, he is no longer just the hero of Berlin. Today, Buffon serves as the head of delegation for the national team, carrying the unique weight of an important legacy. However, this time, he is drawn not to the bright lights of the big stage but to the next generation: the Under-15 players coached by Enrico Battisti, who chase the same dream he nurtured years ago. On pitch 3 of the Acqua Acetosa Olympic Preparation Centre Giulio Onesti in Rome, named in memory of Gianluca Vialli, the 44 top talents from the region faced off in a friendly match, with the Azzurri team triumphing 6-4 against the team.

“This gathering is a wonderful experience for them,” emphasises the 2006 World Cup champion, “but it’s also meaningful for me, as it rekindles certain thoughts and emotions that had long been dormant. It’s been 30 years since I was 15, and I vividly recall the sensations, including that little bit of anxiety I felt before these events”.

For these young players, this was more than just a match against opposing teams. It was an opportunity to demonstrate, to themselves and those watching, that their dreams can become reality. There were no trophies at stake today, but for many, there was something far more valuable: a chance, perhaps the first of many or maybe the only one. Buffon understands that feeling well; he has experienced it in every form, from Parma to Turin and through to Berlin. Now, as the team’s delegate, his role may be different, but his passion remains unchanged. While the young talents sprinted across the pitch, he smiled, knowing that, in the end, football is still about dreams. Perhaps in one of those boys, he saw a reflection of his younger self: a young goalkeeper eager to conquer the world. And who knows, among those 44 young athletes, there might be the next Buffon or the future captain who will lead Italy into another magical night.

“I’d like to give some advice to all those boys who may not be selected initially,” he concludes. “I urge them not to lose heart and to continue working with passion, humility, and a desire to improve, because the journey is still long, and nothing is off-limits”.