Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon revealed on Tuesday he will meet former South Africa president Nelson Mandela in a peace initiative ahead of the World Cup in the African country.

"I will meet the ex-president and Nobel Prize winner in the following days to talk about peace," said Buffon from Italy's pre-World Cup training base at altitude in Sestriere.

"I've achieved many of my footballing dreams but this is the biggest on a personal level. Mandela changed the history of a country and the whole of Africa."

Buffon is part of the `Get the Point' project aimed at turning children away from violence.

"I'm proud to be a point of reference for children compelled to a life less comfortable than those who have been able to receive an appropriate education," he added.

"Being an ambassador for peace makes me happy with the road I've taken as a man at 32."

Buffon also lent his voice to the growing criticisms against the official World Cup ball, the Jabulani.

"I was aware from the first day that this Jabulani just won't do. The best footballers on the planet are at the World Cup and they should have something decent. This new ball isn't."

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