Italy and PSG star Gigio Donnarumma says he ‘had to grow up quickly’, having left home at 13 years old and explains how it feels to train with Leo Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Neymar.
The Italy international moved to Paris on a free transfer from Milan in the summer and is expected to start in goal in tonight’s Champions League clash against Real Madrid.
He spoke about his life and career in an interview with the Daily Telegraph. “I have always been mature, not least of all because I had to grow up very quickly since I left home when I was 13 so I guess it is normal that you end up becoming a man a bit earlier,” he said. “But my aim is always to win as much as possible.”
Donnarumma insists that PSG had been following him for many years before he completed his move to the Parc des Princes over the summer and believes that joining the Ligue 1 giants was in his destiny. He made exactly the same claim in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport last week.
“I knew that everyone here had a great deal of confidence in me, so I chose PSG because it is an incredible environment,” he said.
“There is an extraordinary team, huge ambitions, so all of these things meant that PSG was part of my destiny.”
He is now training with some of the best players in the world, including Messi, Neymar and Mabppé? How does it feel to share the dressing room with some of the best players in the game?
Donnarumma favourite to start over Keylor Navas against Real Madrid
“Now I am in the habit of training with them and I try my best to make it as difficult as possible for them to score,” the 22-year-old said.
“Clearly people have high expectations of us. But let’s say that we cope well with this pressure, we know that we can do great things, but we are calm and work well and work hard together to go as far as we can – and possibly win the Champions League.”
Last but not least, Donnarumma commented on Italy’s Euro 2020 campaign and why he didn’t celebrate after saving the last penalty kick to Bukayo Saka.
“I didn’t know if it was the last one!” he admitted.
“I was trying to look at the referee, to see if the penalty save was OK because with the Var you have to keep your feet on the line. So I was just trying to work out if it was OK and then I saw all of my teammates running towards me so I exploded with joy. I am sorry for you, but that is the way things worked out…”
Donnarumma has played 15 games across all competitions this term, conceding ten goals and keeping seven clean sheets. He has made his first-ever Champions League appearances this term, playing against Manchester City, Club Brugge and Leipzig.
Gianluigi Donnarumma exclusive: Training with Messi, 'mad' goalkeepers – and breaking English hearts | @JBurtTelegraph https://t.co/esNf74Wimt
— Telegraph Football (@TeleFootball) February 15, 2022
At this rate, Gigio is gonna be doing more interviews than starting matches.
Lorenzo Bettoni you need to stop reporting on football outside of Italian Football!!
Surely you can do some research on other Serie A to Serie C clubs to get some news?
You wont see Sky Sports reporting on Serie A to serie B clubs
As Roy Keane would say, “that’s your job”.
He is trying to make it harder for messi neymar and mbappe with his ball distribution in a match