Frank Christian
The scar on Gianluigi Donnarumma’s face may have formed just a few months ago, yet it stands as a testament to the remarkable journey the Italian shot-stopper has undertaken in a short span.
Sometimes, you need to face significant challenges to achieve greatness.
For Donnarumma, this notion is both literally and metaphorically true. It wasn’t long ago that the former AC Milan goalkeeper faced criticism from PSG supporters and the media for a series of blunders during crucial matches.
Gianluigi Donnarumma’s transformation
Donnarumma made the move to PSG in 2021 at just 22, hailed as a goalkeeping talent at a young age. By then, he had already accumulated 215 appearances with AC Milan and had joined the Italian national team at the tender age of 17. For a goalkeeper to achieve such milestones is extraordinary, considering that this role typically sees players reach their peak later in their careers compared to outfield players.
Transitioning to the high-pressure environment of Paris was sure to come with its challenges, as the expectations for success were significantly elevated. His new team had assembled a roster of stars with the primary goal of securing their long-sought first Champions League title, and merely winning domestic leagues wouldn’t suffice to satisfy the eager fans.
The beginning was tumultuous, to say the least.
In his inaugural season, Donnarumma struggled mightily as PSG was ousted by Real Madrid in the Round of 16, suffering a 3-1 defeat in the second leg despite having a 1-0 advantage from the first leg. Although he was awarded the Yashin Trophy as the world’s best goalkeeper following Italy’s Euro 2020 victory, his performances for PSG seemed disconnected from his national team feats, reflecting a different player altogether.
At the start of the next season’s group stage, Donnarumma again faltered, allowing Weston McKennie to score in a 2-1 victory against Juventus.
2 – Gianluigi Donnarumma has now made two errors leading to goals against opponents in six Champions League matches for Paris. This sets a record for a PSG player since Opta started tracking this data (2007/08). Errors. #PSGJuve #PSGJUV pic.twitter.com/e5n3kXeLLi
— OptaJean (@OptaJean) September 6, 2022
Doubts emerged, and questions abounded. Donnarumma found himself listed among Messi and Neymar, not as heroes but rather as expensive liabilities. PSG faced another Round of 16 exit against Bayern Munich, losing 3-0 on aggregate. Things were not unfolding as anticipated.
In the 2023/24 Champions League, PSG narrowly scraped through to the knockout stage, managing just two wins in an immensely challenging group that featured Newcastle, Borussia Dortmund, and his former club, AC Milan. During a match at San Siro, Donnarumma was met with fake bills thrown by home fans lamenting his departure, and AC Milan won 2-1.
Gianluigi Donnarumma stands in goal, right in front of the Curva Sud. A deluge of fake bills and a tidal wave of insults for the Italian goalkeeper. The ordeal is just beginning.
– @footmercato pic.twitter.com/dDo5moEiZs
— Valentin Feuillette (@VFeuillette75) November 7, 2023
At a club like PSG, where winning is an obligation rather than a celebration, each misstep gets magnified, overshadowing any impressive feats. For every ten outstanding saves Donnarumma made, one mistake overshadowed them all. While his shot-stopping abilities shone brightly, he encountered difficulties in ball handling, dealing with crosses, and maintaining proper positioning at critical junctures.
The situation hit a new low last April when PSG fell 3-2 to Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinals, with Donnarumma partly responsible for all three goals scored by Barcelona. A weak attempt to claim a cross from Lamine Yamal let Raphinha score the first goal, and another error gifted him a second goal, while he stood frozen for the third scored by Andreas Christensen.
The comeback in the second leg did little to ease the criticism, especially when they were later eliminated by Dortmund in the semifinals.
Gianluigi Donnarumma BREAKDOWN | Big game keeper? | PSG vs. Inter UCL Final PREVIEW | Morning Footy
This Saturday, May 31, the UEFA Champions League Final between PSG vs. Inter kicks off at 3:00 PM ET. On Paris Saint-Germain’s long road to the final has been many heroic performances by their goalkeeper, Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Yet astonishingly, a year later, none of that seems significant.
As PSG stands as favorites heading into the Champions League final against Inter Milan, Donnarumma is now celebrated as a pivotal figure, a crucial part of this revamped squad that emphasizes collective effort over individual star power.
During the semifinal against Arsenal, he shone brightly, earning recognition as the top goalkeeper in this year’s Champions League. His performance was stellar across both legs against the Gunners, making eight saves out of nine shots on target, equating to an impressive 2.86 xGOT saved. His stops against Martin Odegaard, Leandro Trossard, and Bukayo Saka were nothing short of breathtaking, showcasing exceptional reflexes, explosive agility, and enhanced positioning.
Once again, a stellar goalkeeping display in the Champions League from PSG’s Gianluigi Donnarumma (26). pic.twitter.com/4DP8Ro92VI
— Get French Football News (@GFFN) May 7, 2025
It is undeniable that Donnarumma’s performance in Munich will be pivotal for PSG’s aspirations in this match. If they aim to finally conquer their European challenges — if they are to overcome their past — he must rise as a hero.
In the high-pressure environment of PSG, victories have yet to be secured, and Donnarumma could quickly find himself facing criticism again. The stakes are high, but right now, he stands as one of the premier goalkeepers globally, a reputation that always seemed attainable but had risked slipping away multiple times.
While the scars remain, healing is possible. At this moment, Donnarumma is on the brink of greatness in Europe, and a victory on Saturday would offer him redemption as sweet as it is healing.
