Italy’s goalkeeper and captain Gianluigi Buffon stretches during a training session at the Arena Amazonia Stadium.

DPA/Rio de Janerio

Some players are as important off the pitch as they are on it. That’s the case with Gianluigi Buffon.

The Italian captain is not just one of the best goalkeepers of all times (he has been named goalkeeper of the year four times by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics, as well as goalkeeper of the 21st century), he is a born leader, both in defence and in the changing rooms.

“He is always ready to give you the right advice, a role model. The years pass, but he always has the same will and can’t wait to start (playing),” Claudio Marchisio said of the 36-year-old.

It was perhaps no coincidence then that Marchisio ran to embrace his Juventus teammate after scoring Italy’s first goal against England in Manaus.

Buffon is at his fifth World Cup. But after leading the Azzurri to victory in 2006, he missed out most of the 2010 tournament in South Africa due to an injury and has yet to play in Brazil.

Shortly after twisting his ankle during training on Friday, and perhaps conscious of his leadership role, Buffon tweeted: “There are many ways to be important, even if you can’t be a participant on the pitch.”

Team doctor Enrico Castellacci is now optimistic that Buffon will recover by the end of the group stages. He may even be fit for Friday’s game against Costa Rica.

“From the psychological point of view, it was a real problem at first. He probably had flashbacks about his previous negative experiences,” Castellacci said Sunday as he recalled the player’s initial reaction to the injury. “But luckily, after a while ... the optimism returned.”

 “When I (later) visited Gigi in the changing rooms he was smiling and he told me: ‘I am very happy because for a moment I thought I had to leave this World Cup too. Instead I realised that I am here and will still have a role to play.’ As a participant, I would add,” Castellacci said.

Born into a family of athletes - his mother was a discus thrower, his father a weightlifter and his two sisters both national team volleyball players - he is Italy’s most capper player with 140 appearances.

His 2001 transfer from Parma to Juventus, for 45 million euros (61 million dollars, in today’s currency) made him the world’s most expensive keeper.

Money well spent, most would agree.

“Buffon is the (Lionel) Messi of goalkeepers,” his AC Milan colleague Christian Abbiati once said.

Perhaps the biggest compliment has come from Iker Casillas, who until last week’s disastrous performance in Spain’s 5-1 humbling by the Netherlands was still considered one of the world’s best.

“He is a role model, not just for me but for all the keepers of my generation. When I started playing I dreamt of becoming like him.”

Paris Saint-Germain keeper Sirigu made some great saves against England, earning widespread praise from the Italian media.

Even coach Cesare Prandelli was impressed. But that performance will not be enough to dethrone Buffon.

“Salvatore had a great game,” Prandelli said, before adding: “Gigi will be ready for the next [match].”Meanwhile, four Italian players skipped yesterday’s first training session in Mangaratiba, but only defender Mattia De Sciglio and goalkeeper Buffon remain in serious doubt for the Azzurri’s next World Cup game against Costa Rica.

Defensive midfielder Daniele De Rossi missed out on the morning session due to neck pains, while defender Andrea Barzagli, who had an injury-prone season at Juventus, was rested.

De Sciglio, who missed out on the Group D opener against England, is still recovering from a sprained muscle and trained separately.  Captain Buffon twisted an ankle on the eve of Saturday’s game in Manaus and is expected to once again be replaced by Salvatore Sirigu in Recife on Friday.

Attending the training session was Italian football federation (FIGC) president Giancarlo Abete, who praised the squad for their 2-1 victory against England.

“The result gives us three important points and boosts our morale. To start with a victory against a team that is ranked like us was very important,” Abete said.

Italy are currently ninth in the FIFA ranking, while England are 10th.