Gianluigi Donnarumma, the 26-year-old Italian international goalkeeper, spoke to L’Équipe about his departure from Paris Saint-Germain. Before the victorious Champions League final against Inter Milan, he wrote a personal letter to each of his teammates. This intimate and touching gesture illustrates the strong bond he forged with the Paris team.
Donnarumma: “I left a letter for each of my teammates to thank them for this fantastic journey.”
“There was one moment that stood out on the way to the Allianz Arena. What did you do on the bus that took you to Munich for that Champions League final against Inter Milan on May 31st (5-0)?
I left a letter for each of my teammates to thank them for this fantastic journey. I wrote it in several languages so that everyone could understand it. It was something I felt, something I wanted to share and convey to all my teammates, for everything we had already achieved. All that was missing was the final piece of the puzzle to finish it off beautifully. I am also happy that it was taken to heart, and I hope I contributed something to each of them.
Donnarumma: “Through these words, I tried to convey my entire being, all the love I feel for them.”
Can you tell us what the last sentence was?
Precisely, no. (He hesitates.) The last sentence…
Perhaps “I love you”?
(In French.) Perhaps, yes. (He hesitates again.) I can’t talk about it because it’s personal, it’s about the team. But it was a sincere letter, a letter written with love for all my teammates. Through these words, I tried to convey my entire being, all the love I feel for them, for all the work we accomplished together, for all the years we suffered together.” There were difficult times, but we managed to stay united, to pick ourselves up, and succeed together. That’s how we reached our goal and lifted the European Cup, because we were a team, and we always worked together. It was truly special.”
This gesture reveals much about the man behind the player. In a football world often dominated by statistics and contracts, Gianluigi Donnarumma chose to write. Not a group message on WhatsApp, but a personal letter, translated into several languages so everyone could understand. This gesture impressed his teammates and symbolizes his genuine connection to the Paris Saint-Germain squad. The Italian has often been criticized for his style or his mistakes, but his authenticity and his commitment to the team are undeniable.
This intimate correspondence, perhaps ending with a simple “I love you,” illustrates the sincerity of a player who wanted to leave a lasting mark on the PSG dressing room. Often criticized, he chose to leave as a hero, giving PSG its first-ever Champions League title in the process. This marks a career, and he will clearly be missed by the team and the club, because, at heart, Donnarumma always knew how to be endearing, quickly learning French and never hiding who he really was.
