Although criticism of Gigio Donnarumma is understandable after some poor performances with Italy and PSG, too many fans on social media have abused him and, sometimes seem to be happy when the goalkeeper underperforms, writes Lorenzo Bettoni.
Donnarumma wouldn’t expect such a difficult season only nine months ago when he led Italy to win Euro 2020, becoming the best player in the tournament. It was the first time that a goalkeeper ever achieved it at the Euros and it was the right recognition for the most crucial Azzurri figure last summer.
Despite his achievement on the international stage, in November the 23-year-old received a shocking reception at San Siro a few months after his free transfer to PSG when Italy hosted Spain in the Nations League semi-finals. The thousands of Milan fans at the Meazza booed him every time he touched the ball. Roberto Mancini’s boy ended their 37-game unbeaten run that night, but things had begun going downhill even before for the Azzurri.
Many (not myself) saw Donnarumma at fault for North Macedonia’s winner at Palermo last week, while the PSG man could undoubtedly do more – to say the least – to avoid Turkey’s two goals last night. His performance at Konya mirrored his season. The 23-year-old has become infamously famous for costing PSG a spot in the Champions League quarter-finals. Despite an incredible save on Karim Benzema in the second leg against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu, Gigio gave away the ball that the French striker converted in the Merengues’ equaliser, sparking the comeback of Carlo Ancelotti’s men. It’s been all like that for Gigio this term: hot and cold.
The majority of Milan fans are undoubtedly happy to see their ex-goalkeeper far from his best form, especially because the Rossoneri welcomed a solid replacement in Mike Maignan, who has delivered consistently this season. Milan supporters will never forgive Donnarumma and they have the right to do so. Still, looking at some comments on social media (and also on this website), it’s easy to spot a general feeling of hate for the 23-year-old who has honestly done nothing bad to deserve insults and abuse of any kind.
The clearest example is offered by looking at comments after positive Donnarumma performances. You would find plenty of fans asking to stop talking about him because he is playing abroad, after all. There are apposite reactions when Gigio is not up to the task and some fans are eager to comment on his bad day.
Despite still supporting Italy, some of them are just happy when he makes mistakes, not only for PSG, but also for his national team. This is frankly crazy. How can hate for a player be stronger than the love for a team? And who can claim leaving Milan and Serie A should have made him a weaker footballer? Many tend to forget that Gigio is only 23 years old and, if he follows in Gigi Buffon or Manuel Neuer’s footsteps, we’ll be talking about him for more than 15 years to come. It is normal to go through tough times at any stage of a career, especially when you are still very young. Donnarumma is not overrated, as many say these days, he is just having a difficult season and there are plenty of reasons behind it.
It’s true, Gigio left his childhood club to join a team that is not exactly among the most loved in the world. But can you really blame him? Despite Milan being one of the most exciting clubs in Italy as the Serie A table leaders, Paris offered Donnarumma a more challenging environment, on and off the pitch. He had to learn a new language and a new culture while battling week in, week out, with one of the best goalkeepers in the world. It may not be an ideal solution short-term, but Gigio will benefit from it in the long run. Italy are lucky to have somebody like him between the sticks for so many years. Honestly, he doesn’t deserve this harsh treatment from fans (not only Milan’s) who cheer every time he fails. It’s unfair and ultimately harmful towards the best Italian player that we have at the moment.
@lorebetto