Former Milan star Gigio Donnarumma returns to San Siro for the first time since joining Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer, will he meet a hostile environment at his old home ground?
The 22-year-old decided to see out his contract at Milan and when his deal expired in June, he moved on to pastures new.
The Italy international helped the Azzurri win the European Championship before joining PSG in the French capital, where he has struggled with playing time at the start of the season.
As Keylor Navas has been the preferred choice in Paris, Donnarumma was replaced by an impressive Mike Maignan at San Siro.
The former Rossonero stressed he ‘will always be a Milan fan’ during the press conference ahead of the Azzurri’s clash with Spain in the UEFA Nations League Finals on Wednesday.
Donnarumma: ‘I moved to PSG to play, I will always be a Milan fan’
But already in 2017, Donnarumma was targeted by sections of furious Milan fans, when his agent Mino Raiola openly admitted he wanted the goalkeeper to leave the club. He then signed an improved deal with the club, including a possibility for his brother to be part of the squad.
The 22-year-old was bombarded with fake banknotes and banners reading ‘Dollarumma’, due to his economic demands to stay at the Rossoneri.
Another banner that had an impact on the player, was the one reading: “Moral violence, €6m a year and the signing of a parasite brother? Now get out, the patience is finished.”
Over and over again, Donnarumma has performed in the hostile environment, but he’s still haunted by the wrath of the Milan fans as he returns to San Siro with Italy this week.
Now, the situation is even more special, as he decided against renewing with the club and leave on a free transfer, joining the other superstars in Paris.
He was asked if he expects a hostile atmosphere at his old ground, given the tense relationship between the young goalkeeper and his former club.
“I have always given everything for Milan, right up until the end,” Donnarumma said at the press conference yesterday.
“I would be sorry, because this is a very important match, a Nations League semi-final, so I hope the fans can help us.”