Iconic former goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has announced his resignation from his role within the Italian national football setup. This decision comes in the aftermath of Gennaro Gattuso stepping down as head coach, a move prompted by the national team's inability to secure a spot in the upcoming World Cup.
Buffon stated, "It’s only fair to leave to those who come after me the freedom of selecting who will replace me. Representing the national team is an honor and a passion that has embodied me since I was a kid."
The resignation follows Italy's unexpected play-off loss to Bosnia- Herzegovina. The match concluded with a 4-1 penalty shootout defeat, marking another significant failure for the four-time World Cup champions in their quest to reach football's premier tournament.
This marks the third consecutive World Cup that Italy will miss, having also failed to qualify for the 2018 and 2022 editions of the tournament.
Consequently, Italy's prolonged absence from the FIFA championship means they are set to endure a minimum of 16 years without participating in the global football spectacle.
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