Remaining with Sampdoria until the 93-94 season, and having become one of the best goalkeepers in Italy, he received his first call-up to the national team. He actually played for the Azzurri for the first time in a 1-1 draw with the USSR on June 16, 1991. Internazionale F.C. purchased Gianluca in 1994, and for the next five seasons he became the "bulwark of the nerazzurri defense", in the words of a RAI commentator. After Inter's difficult 98-99 season Pagliuca found his future uncertain with the arrival of new coach Marcello Lippi. Pags returned to Bologna F.C., signing a two-year contract - a happy homecoming.

1998 provided him the opportunity to showcase his talents when he started in goal at France 98 in place of the injured Angelo Peruzzi. Pags played very skillfully. The master of saves rescued Italy more than once and, deservedly, won the duel with Barthez against France even though the Italian team itself was not successful on that day.

"The Inter keeper supplements his notable experience by excellent reflexes and great acrobatic talents. Stalwart and trustworthy, he has defended the Italian goal extremely well at the World Cup in France" - wrote about him Italian newspapers. Russian commentators declared him to be goalie in the best form. Similarly, Pags was one of the most appreciated players in every Inter match. Let's hope that he continues to enjoy every minute he plays as much as we enjoy watching him play.

In 1999 Pagliuca came back to Bologna - town and team. He continued playing here for seven years. The 2005/2006 season was not a great year for Bologna which finished in the second division (Serie B). Great chaos erupted at the end of that year in Italian soccer as Juventus manager Moggi, referees, and other managers were accused of rigging games, and many teams were penalized. Gianluca joined Ascoli Calcio as goalkeeper in September 2006. This allowed him to beat Dino Zoff's record of appearances in Serie A ( 570) and he continues to show wonderful form in his forties.