​​Italy and Juventus legend Gianluigi Buffon has admitted that his nation is a "funny country" that "enjoys controversy" looking at the criticism that manager Luigi Di Biagio has endured after the selection of the squad for the two friendlies.





The 40-year-old who retired earlier this year following Italy's failure to qualify for the World Cup only to reconsider on his decision is expected to start in goal against Argentina in their friendlies tonight with his selection coming in for criticism from both fans and pundits who believe that he is blocking the path of Milan's 19-year-old goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.









Gianluigi Buffon calls Italy a 'funny country' after national team criticism - ESPN https://t.co/2IV0JSaSRz — Italian Daily New (@ItalianDailyNew) March 23, 2018





Buffon for his part refuted such suggestions revealing that his role is to unite the squad after a disastrous qualifying campaign.





"My role in the squad has always been positive and I've always brought people together. I've always put us before me. I'm not here to showcase, to show myself off because I can still be useful. I may be 40, but I'm the goalkeeper of Juventus," ​Buffon said ahead of the clash against Argentina.











Gianluigi Buffon: “Messi and Ronaldo are two completely different players. Messi is more complete, because he starts deeper, has more technical quality and a vision of the game. Ronaldo, perhaps because he is a little older, has become a killer in the penalty area.” — Barca Universal (@BarcaUniversal) March 23, 2018





"Italy is a funny country where people enjoy controversy. Any controversy on my figure is just sensationalism. I have been playing for Italy since 1993, I have won seven medals. After a while all this controversy will just fall away," he added.





Buffon who has 175 international caps to his name, which is a European record also refused to commit on a retirement date, though it is unlikely that he will be in goal for the 2020 UEFA European Championships.

