Gianluigi Donnarumma

Gianluigi Donnarumma was born on February 25, 1999, in Castellammare di Stabia, Italy. He grew up in a football-loving family with his older brother Antonio also becoming a professional goalkeeper. His early life was marked by a passion for football, which led him to join the youth academy of Napoli before moving to AC Milan's renowned youth setup at a young age.

On October 25, 2015, Gianluigi Donnarumma made his Serie A debut for AC Milan against Sassuolo at the age of just 16 years and 242 days. He started the match and helped his team secure a 2-1 victory. Donnarumma's performance in the match was the beginning of his rise to prominence in Italian football, becoming one of the youngest-ever goalkeepers to start a Serie A match.

Gianluigi Donnarumma made his senior international debut for the Italian national team on March 24, 2016, in a match against France. Although Italy lost the match 3-1, Donnarumma's appearance at the age of 17 years and 189 days made him the youngest goalkeeper to ever play for the Azzurri. This milestone marked the beginning of his international career, where he would go on to earn numerous caps.

By the start of the 2016-2017 season, Gianluigi Donnarumma had established himself as the first-choice goalkeeper for AC Milan. His skills and maturity far beyond his years made him a key player for the team. Under the management of Vincenzo Montella, Donnarumma's performances were crucial to AC Milan's successes, showcasing reflexes and composure that soon made him a household name in European football.

In 2017, Gianluigi Donnarumma's contract negotiations with AC Milan became a public controversy. His initial reluctance to renew his contract led to fans expressing their dissatisfaction, going so far as to throw fake money at him during a European Under-21 Championship match. Eventually, Donnarumma signed a new contract with Milan, but not without controversy involving his agent, Mino Raiola, and the club's management.

On May 23, 2021, Gianluigi Donnarumma played what would be his last match for AC Milan in a 2-0 victory over Atalanta. During his time at Milan, he had become one of the best goalkeepers in the world. His departure from the club was bittersweet for many fans as he left to seek new challenges. Donnarumma's final season at Milan ended with the team qualifying for the Champions League after a long absence.

Gianluigi Donnarumma played a pivotal role in Italy's triumph at the UEFA Euro 2020. On July 11, 2021, Italy faced England in the final at Wembley Stadium. The match ended 1-1 after extra time, leading to a penalty shootout. Donnarumma's heroic saves during the shootout, including the decisive one against Bukayo Saka, secured Italy's victory and earned him the Player of the Tournament award.

On July 14, 2021, Gianluigi Donnarumma signed with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on a free transfer after leaving AC Milan. He joined the French giants on a five-year contract. The move to PSG marked a new chapter in Donnarumma's career, where he joined a squad filled with superstar talent, adding to the club's ambition to win the UEFA Champions League. His transfer was highly anticipated and covered widely.

On February 14, 2022, Gianluigi Donnarumma played against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16. Despite his efforts, PSG did not achieve the desired result. Donnarumma faced criticism for his performance, particularly for an error that led to a crucial goal by Karim Benzema. Despite the setback, he remained optimistic and committed to improving with PSG, highlighting the challenges faced in top-level European competitions.

On June 10, 2023, Gianluigi Donnarumma helped Italy secure third place in the UEFA Nations League by defeating the Netherlands 3-2. His performance throughout the tournament was instrumental in Italy's achievement, demonstrating his continued development as a top international goalkeeper. The Nations League provided Donnarumma with another opportunity to display his skills on the international stage, reinforcing his reputation as Italy's first-choice keeper.