JAKARTA - Alessandro Circati revealed that Italian legend Gianluigi Buffon played an important role in helping him choose to play for the Australian National Team (Timnas) over Italy.
Born in Fidenza before moving to Perth as a baby, Circati moved from Perth Glory to Parma in 2021. After his talent began to appear, the Italian age group national team immediately recruited him.
However, before the Azzurri had the opportunity to guide the defender to senior level, then Australian coach Graham Arnold intervened.
Arnold chose the centre-back for Socceroos in a friendly against Argentina in 2023 and gave him a chance to debut against New Zealand in the following months.
SEE ALSO:
-
| OLAHRAGA
Pendaftaran Pemain Liga Champions Rampung, Perombakan Klub Top Liga Inggris Mengejutkan
04 September 2025, 16:05
Surprisingly, advice from Buffon, the goalkeeper who helped get Australia out of the 2006 World Cup--at that time was spending the 28th and final year of his career with Parma--helping Circati decide on the future of his national team.
"Buffon was at Parma at the time. He read about it - what could have happened? I approached him and asked, what would you do in this situation?"
"He's a very excited player. The first thing he said to me was, what do you feel in your heart? Forget all the other things."
"Give me the pressure you received from the club. Forget the pressure you received. Forget everything. What do you feel in your heart?" said Circati recalling Buffon's words.
"I told him. Five days later, I made a decision. From his point of view, you can see when he represents Italy, he may be one of the most excited players in the world of football."
"Whatever he said to me, I'm sure it's true. He's going to see every possible situation."
"He will talk to thousands of players in similar situations. I want to hear his opinion, and I am following his opinion, and I am very happy he did," Circati said on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at ESPN.
Meanwhile, Circati's gentle nature outside the field is in stark contrast to the tough aura she carries on the field.
He is in the middle of a conversation after being linked with moves to major clubs, such as Juventus, Napoli, and AC Milan during the summer break.
A brilliant performance at the age of 21 years is certainly very useful for Socceroos who have made sure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
Australian veteran Milos Deganek is even confident Circati's career will skyrocket, which will help Socceroos in the future.
"Maybe Australia's future is there with Ale (Circati). It's not me playing games or making fun of it. That's me being honest."
"He played at Parma. I don't think he will last long there. I think he will go to a bigger and better club."
"I really hope for him. I think Australia's defense is in the right hands if he continues like this," said Milos Degenek.
The English, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and French versions are automatically generated by the AI. So there may still be inaccuracies in translating, please always see Indonesian as our main language. (system supported by DigitalSiber.id)
