Sergio Rico, goalkeeper for Paris Saint-Germain from 2020 to 2024 and now playing in Qatar, was interviewed by Le Parisien and asked to comment on Gianluigi Donnarumma’s (26) move to Manchester City last summer, after PSG encouraged him to leave.
Rico: “He had just come off an exceptional season.”
“He had just come off an exceptional season — him, and the whole team, really. They were all spectacular and worked very hard to win almost every competition. It was probably the right time for him to leave, even though everyone was happy with him and he was also happy in Paris.”
Rico chose his words carefully, avoiding any controversy about his former teammate or PSG, but still delivered a fair and balanced message. Donnarumma had just completed a brilliant campaign with Paris — and yet, the timing for a separation made sense.
His contract situation required a clear decision, and PSG saw an opportunity to shift toward a new style by bringing in Lucas Chevalier (23). The young French goalkeeper still needs an understandable period of adaptation, even if some fans are impatient.
As for Donnarumma, he left on a high note, joining Manchester City, another elite club with great ambition and a world-class coach in Pep Guardiola — a move that looks like the natural next step in his career.
