Gigio Donnarumma partially blamed Milan for his move to PSG over the summer, but the Italy international should just admit that he based his choice on his legitimate ambition, writes Lorenzo Bettoni.
Many Milan fans raised eyebrows this morning while reading Donnarumma’s interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport where he once again explained why he left Milan as a free agent in the summer.
“Everyone is blaming me, without thinking what happened on the other side,” the 22-year-old said.
“The last call from Milan was to tell me that they had signed another goalkeeper. That is how it ended.”
This version of the story is quite new and sounds like an unnecessary justification for his decision to leave his boyhood club for nothing.
Yes. Milan called to inform him about the signing of Mike Maignan, but can you really blame Paolo Maldini & Co.? The Rossoneri had been trying to extend Donnarumma’s contract for several months, failing to reach an agreement with his agent Mino Raiola who reportedly demanded huge commissions to extend with the Rossoneri.
Donnarumma admits he often talks to Pioli, reveals Milan’s farewell call
Donnarumma omitted that part of the story, partially blaming Milan for the end of his time at San Siro. What was the club supposed to do? Wait until PSG announced his signing? Make an offer that they could not afford? Of course, the Rossoneri would want to keep the goalkeeper at San Siro or, at least, see him leave for a fair sum, not for nothing.
The goalkeeper has taken a legitimate yet difficult decision, opting to join one of the best clubs in Europe, playing with some of the best footballers in the world. It’s an appropriate professional choice, regardless of the money PSG put on the table.
‘Dollarumma’ has nothing to do in this case. Gigio probably didn’t pick PSG because of the money they offered, but because he could take a step forward in his career. Nobody can deny PSG are an upgrade compared to Milan, although the Rossoneri are obtaining outstanding results under Stefano Pioli.
Donnarumma is one of Italy’s brightest stars. Perhaps, he is the best football player in the country. He had the right to go somewhere else, chasing trophies and personal glory. That’s absolutely fine. What’s not ok is to point the finger at someone else for an entirely personal choice.
@lorebetto
OMG FI what’s going on? Running out of material? It’s been half a year, I think both the club and the player have moved on. You need to stop brining this up again and again. What’s next? Why didn’t Pirlo extend with Milan?
“Yes. Milan called to inform him about the signing of Mike Maignan, but can you really blame Paolo Maldini & Co.? The Rossoneri had been trying to extend Donnarumma’s contract for several months, failing to reach an agreement with his agent Mino Raiola who reportedly demanded huge commissions to extend with the Rossoneri.” This and the fact that if they had waited any longer it’s quite probably another club would have swept in and signed Maignan who is obviously a fantastic goalkeeper. Disingenuous for Donnarumma to say Milan just called him and told him it’s over. He had the balls to leave the club for free, he should have the balls to say that it was his (or his entourage’s) decision for money or sporting purposes or whatever. Clearly the boy doesn’t have the balls since Raiola is the one that dictates what happens next. He should just keep quite now and concentrate on warming the PSG bench.
Anyway, how can you expect someone to be honest when a carpetbagger like Riola is in his ear.
The poor kid went where Mino would make the biggest buck and increase his brand power.
Enough with this story we all know the truth. MM is a better fit right now. Only real suspect here is the agent, ruined Dummarumma’s legacy and football in general
Also, not sure how playing in Ligue 1 makes him a better goalkeeper, as it’s like playing in a pub league for PSG. He would have played champions league football with Milan this season, and while we didn’t make it out of the group of death in our first year back after eight surely we’ll do better next season. Renew, play a couple of season in the CL with the club that brought you up, and then make a big money move to any number of clubs playing in better competitions than PSG (Barcelona, Madrid any of the top English clubs). Donnarumma breaks the CL ice and showcase himself in that competition at Milan, Milan then get’s their due share of his transfer value, and Donnarumma still gets his big move albeit a season or two later. It’s that simple.
I mean PSG are a step up financially but a sideways step for everything else. PSG are practically guaranteed UCL because of their league status, but I think that’s where the step up ends. Their league is not as competitive. One foot steps up, the other steps down so money can be the only motive.
@ Vero , great point that rarely gets made. If he was loyal and loved the club as he says he would have extended and made PSG pay Milan. But instead played the game all along knowing he was moving on a free. Would have secured his legacy as well.
Forza Magic Eagle
“Perhaps, he is the best footballer in the country.” The ‘Perhaps’ is doing an awful lot of lifting there.
He gave his side, hoping to come off as the good guy, the victim. We all know how it was from Milan‘s side. Held to ransom so they made the move and thankfully signed Maignan. It really isn’t a story to anyone but Gigio at this point.
Am I the only one who thinks that he had been tapped up sometime before by Juve? Raiola told him it was a done deal, and then when Juve chose Allegri and he chose to stick with Szczesny, due to the fact he trusts him, along with Juve’s financial problems, then PSG became the best option on the table. I get the distinct feeling that he doesn’t really want to be there, has stopped progressing, and has ultimately made a bad decision for his career and development.
@Ricky. Yes! And they did it with Vlahovic too, except that they were desperate enough for a forward to pay 75m for him now. Not the case with Donnarumma because they already had Szczesny, as you point out. Fifa needs to step in soon to regulate agents and reconsider the allowed length of contracts.
He joined P$G for money, money for him and money for his agent, no other reasons
He may be the best keeper in Italy, however, I believe Milan has done a marvelous job bringing Mike Maignan in his place because I have no doubt that Mike Maignan is all around a better keeper!
Imagine Mbappé joining Real Madrid soon, and then say PSG called me and said they have signed another striker at the end of the season, that’s how it ended. LMAO
It’s clear to me now that Donnarumma is not very bright. Physically gifted, but intellectually … a perfect puppet for Raiola.
Joined Ligue 1 second place team so that the GK of Ligue 1 champions comes to take his place.
Sits on the bench over 50% of the time with his new club.
Seriously just don’t see any logic in what he’s saying.
Anyone else got the feeling Gigio is regretting his decision? Now he’s just another bit part player warming the bench for PSG while Maignan looks like a more complete goalkeeper than he ever was.
It really is doing him no favours to keep rehashing the past like this he needs to move on.
what does he really expect that milan fans will suddenly love him again and maldini and management are the villains of the piece forcing poor donnarumma out of the club when he gives his side of the story. He left the club for bigger paycheque it is not a reason to hate him after all it is a short career for players he needs to make the most out of the opportunities available to them at the same it shows a lack of sacrifice which real legends have done for milan.
PSG were the only team to meet his wage demands so he would have had to eat some humble pie if he signed somewhere else. He probably listened too much to his agent promising him a big wage while the agent gets millions for himself