Agent Rafaela Pimenta insists the media and Paris Saint-Germain fans are ‘bipolar’ when it comes to criticism and praise of Italy international Gianluigi Donnarumma.
The former Milan shot-stopper spent his first season in France battling for the gloves with Keylor Navas, but this term has been appointed their first-choice by new coach Christophe Galtier.
“He was player of the tournament at Euro 2020. Not just the best goalkeeper, but the best player. That’s a real accomplishment,” agent Pimenta told Telefoot.
She inherited the agency from her colleague Mino Raiola, now controlling players including Marco Verratti and Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba.
“The media can be bipolar when it comes to him. One minute it’s ‘he’s the best in the world’, and the next it’s ‘he’s a pain.’ It needs to stop at some point.”
PSG fans were torn during the Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich, as he allowed the Kingsley Coman goal to squirm under him, but also kept the scoreline down with a series of tough saves.
The supporters both in the stadium and online showed appreciation and a newfound respect for Donnarumma after the 3-1 defeat to AS Monaco in Ligue 1 last week.
Not only did he make the result less embarrassing with his performance, but he was the only player to walk over and salute the travelling fans after the final whistle.