At 26, Gianluigi Donnarumma, the Italian international goalkeeper, left Paris Saint-Germain this summer after three seasons. In an interview with L’Équipe, the former PSG goalkeeper spoke about the unexpected farewell on August 22, when he was celebrated by his teammates and the fans at the Parc des Princes – a highly emotional moment.
Donnarumma: “To be honest, I didn’t expect such a reaction from the team; it really touched me.”
“On August 22, your former teammates pushed you towards the crowd to be celebrated while the Parisian club was saying goodbye to you. What emotions were you experiencing at that precise moment?”
“It was very moving, because I had built excellent relationships with all my teammates. And to be honest, I didn’t expect such a reaction from the team; it really touched me. I am incredibly grateful to all of them, because they played an essential role in my time in Paris. They always supported me, and we supported each other. So I am truly happy to have left such a significant mark on them, on the entire team.”
Donnarumma: “I gave everything, my heart, my soul.”
“Did you imagine such an outpouring of support from the Parc des Princes?”
“No, I was surprised. It was really beautiful, and for that I am very grateful. I gave everything, my heart, my soul. And when you give everything, when you leave everything on the pitch, everything for the jersey, in the end, you are rewarded. I am happy to have made an impression on the fans.”
The story between Gianluigi Donnarumma and Paris Saint-Germain ended on an unexpected and deeply human note. While the club had officially announced his departure, it was primarily the reaction of his teammates that truly touched the 26-year-old goalkeeper. Led by his colleagues to the stands, the Italian received a tribute he never expected, demonstrating the strong bond that had developed within the locker room.
The often demanding crowd at the Parc des Princes also applauded him, a reward he attributes to the energy and passion he brought to every match. These farewells show that, beyond the sporting controversies surrounding his time at the club, Donnarumma earned the respect of his teammates and the admiration of the fans, leaving his mark on the recent history of PSG.
