17.04.2025 17:20
The legendary Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon's son, Louis Thomas Buffon, has chosen to represent the national team of his mother's country, the Czech Republic. Starting his football journey in the Juventus youth academy, 17-year-old Louis Thomas currently plays for the U19 team of Pisa, a club in Italy's Serie B. The young player, who plays as a left winger and forward, has received an invitation to join the Czech Republic's youth national teams.
Football fans are quite accustomed to relatives, including father-son and siblings, choosing the same sport and becoming teammates or rivals. However, it is quite rare for two members of the same family to choose different national teams. The latest example of this is Louis Thomas Buffon, the son of Italian Gianluigi Buffon, who is considered one of the most successful goalkeepers in football history.
CHOOSE CZECH NATIONAL TEAM
The eldest son of the legendary goalkeeper, Louis Thomas, who is married to Czech model Alena Seredova, chose to represent the Czech Republic, his mother's country, rather than his father's. The 17-year-old young footballer, who started his football career in Juventus' youth system, plays as a left winger and forward. Currently, Buffon is playing for Pisa's U19 team, which is competing for the championship in Italy's Serie B, and has received an invitation from the Czech Republic's youth national teams.
THERE ARE MANY EXAMPLES
Louis Thomas Buffon's choice to represent the Czech Republic brings to mind father-son footballers representing different countries.
LUKAKUS CHOSE DIFFERENT TEAMS
Belgium's star striker Romelu Lukaku is one of those who did not follow in his father's footsteps. Born in Belgium to Congolese parents, Lukaku stands out as one of the most important stars of the Belgian National Team. His father, Roger Lukaku, played for Zaire, the name of the country at that time, during his football career.
JAMIE CARRAGHER'S SON DID NOT FOLLOW IN HIS FATHER'S FOOTSTEPS
The son of Liverpool legend and former footballer Jamie Carragher is also one of those who did not follow in his father's national team path. Carragher, who retired from football in 2013 after playing 15 seasons for Liverpool, also played for the England National Team for many years. Jamie Carragher's 22-year-old son, James Carragher, chose to represent Malta. Playing for Wigan Athletic in England, James opted for Malta as a national team due to his Maltese and Irish ancestry from his grandparents.
ALCANTARA BROTHERS MADE DIFFERENT CHOICES
One of the families that made the most talked-about national team choices in the football world is the Alcantaras. The sons of Mazinho Alcantara, who was part of the Brazil National Team that won the 1994 World Cup, have also made a name for themselves like their father. Among the sons, Rafinha chose Brazil like his father. Thiago Alcantara, who was raised in Barcelona's youth system and has also played for Bayern Munich and Liverpool, took a different path by choosing the Spain National Team over his father and brother.
SANE CHOSE EUROPE
Leroy Sane, one of the important figures in German football, is also one of those who did not follow in his father's footsteps. His father, Souleyman Sane, who started football in Germany, chose Senegal, his country of origin, and represented the African nation. Leroy Sane, who made a name for himself with Schalke 04 and has played for Manchester City and Bayern Munich, accepted the offer from the Germany National Team.
WEAH'S SON CHOSE THE USA
One of the greatest stars in football history, George Weah, also wore different national jerseys than his son. Weah, who has many achievements in his career, including the Ballon d'Or, played for the national team of his birth country, Liberia. Timothy Weah, born in New York, USA, and currently playing for Juventus, represents the USA National Team.
KVARATSKHELIA PLAYS FOR GEORGIA
Another family that chose different national teams as father and son is the Kvaratskhelia family. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who continues his career at Paris Saint-Germain, competes for the Georgia National Team. His father, Badri Kvaratskhelia, played for the Azerbaijan National Team during his football career.