The former Czech model and wife of Buffon: “Some soccer players courted me, but I have more friends. I’m happy that my son Louis Thomas made his debut in Serie A and plays for my national team.”

You never forget your first job in Italy. “The agency offered me an audition for a TV show, Panariello’s ‘Torno Sabato’. The train and bus journey from Prague to Tuscany was hellish. I went to lunch with Giorgio and he, accustomed to showgirls, ordered me a salad and still water. ‘Thanks, but I’d prefer beer with my cutlet.’ I was hungry and had a long journey home ahead of me. Shortly afterwards, I was part of the cast of ‘Torno Sabato.’ It was 2001 and Alena Seredova was a young model. Twenty-four years later, she still lives in Italy, in Turin, and is 47 years old with three children: Louis Thomas and David Lee were born from her marriage to her ex-husband Gigi Buffon, and little Vivienne Charlotte from her marriage to Alessandro Nasi.

Seredova, what sport did you play in the Czech Republic?

“My father was a professional basketball player. Almost all of his teammates had daughters my age, so they tried to recreate a female version of their team. But with little success.”

When did you start to get interested in soccer?

“When I arrived in Italy, I was often asked which team I supported. Knowing nothing about soccer, I initially chose Lazio because my compatriot Pavel Nedved played there. Shortly after, however, he went to play for Juventus, so I started following them too. Over time, I became a real fan and often go to the stadium to watch the Bianconeri.“

How many players have courted you?

”To be honest, a few have. But especially in the early years, I found some true friends in soccer. Some of these friendships are still strong today.”

What is your fondest football memory with Buffon?

“Italy’s World Cup triumph in 2006 was a fantastic adventure. I experienced it with my friend Valentina (Zambrotta), and together we traveled all over Germany.”

Did you suffer more in the stands during Buffon’s time or do you suffer more now with Louis Thomas, who made his Serie A debut with Pisa on Sunday?

“You always suffer. Obviously, your son is your son, and you experience it even more. As for his debut, I’m sorry about the result, but we had a great time at home. We are very proud of Lollo.“

After your ex-husband, the soccer player, now your son: are you happy or would you rather he hadn’t?

”I’m happy that my children do everything following their hearts. The two older ones grew up in the world of soccer and a bit in the old-fashioned way: always with a ball at their feet, even on the plane… Louis Thomas plays for Pisa, David Lee for CBS, a Turin club affiliated with Juventus. They are both strikers and grew up training a lot with their mom.”

With their mother…

“When they were little, they always wanted to play soccer, and to keep up with them, I decided to take private lessons with instructor Claudia, who was also coaching one of my sons at the time. I wanted to impress them and learn to dribble better than them. I have to admit that it’s not my sport, I realized that quickly.”

Louis Thomas’s father is a world champion and symbol of Italy, but he chose to play for the Czech Republic, his mother’s national team. Does that affect you?

“I didn’t influence him, but I can’t deny that I like seeing him in my national team’s jersey. He’s happy with this soccer and human experience. And so am I.”

Does she dream of a career like yours for her young daughter?

“She seems more like a sporty child, like her dad. She swims, runs, and likes to be surrounded by nature. And, even though she’s little, we’ve been told that she runs very well and is very fast.”

Fashion, cinema, television: has anyone ever offered you a job in exchange for something more?

“Like many other girls, I’ve encountered inappropriate advances and a few people who have gone too far. But in my case, they were unsuccessful. And I’ve never had to give up any job opportunities.”

Have you kept any friends from your soccer days?

“Yes. Along the way, I’ve made many friends and shared many moments with them, including some very important ones.”

Is it more difficult to be the wife of a world champion goalkeeper like Buffon or an entrepreneur like Nasi?

“We’re talking about people who are very busy professionally. In the first case, the match schedule dictates the agenda and you have to adapt. Alessandro also has many commitments, but we’re good at organizing ourselves.”

Cristina Chiabotto, another big Juventus fan, said she likes herself more now than when she won Miss Italy at 18. Is that true for you too?

“I’m a hyper-realist, and at 47, it’s hard to like yourself more than you did at 20. What makes the difference is your mindset. And above all, maturity. When I was young, I focused on my flaws, but now I enjoy the positive aspects of my body. My long legs still make an impression.”