Gianluigi Donnarumma facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Gianluigi Donnarumma

Donnarumma with Paris Saint-Germain in 2024
Personal information
Date of birth	(1999-02-25) 25 February 1999 (age 26)
Place of birth	Castellammare di Stabia, Italy
Height	1.96 m
Playing position	Goalkeeper
Club information
Current club	Paris Saint-Germain
Number	1
Youth career
2003–2013	ASD Club Napoli
2013–2015	AC Milan
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2015–2021	AC Milan	215	(0)
2021–	Paris Saint-Germain	94	(0)
National team‡
2014	Italy U15	4	(0)
2014	Italy U16	3	(0)
2014–2015	Italy U17	10	(0)
2016–2017	Italy U21	7	(0)
2016–	Italy	70	(0)
Honours Men's Football Representing  Italy UEFA European Championship Winner 2020 Europe UEFA Nations League Third 2021 Italy Third 2023 Netherlands CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions Runner-up 2022 England
Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 18:32, 18 January 2025 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 14 November 2024

Gianluigi Donnarumma (born 25 February 1999) is a famous Italian footballer. He plays as a goalkeeper for the French club Paris Saint-Germain. He is also the captain of the Italy national team.

Donnarumma started his career at AC Milan in 2015. He was only 16 years old when he made his debut in Serie A, Italy's top football league. He quickly became known as one of the most promising young goalkeepers in the world.

In 2021, he helped Milan finish second in Serie A. This meant they qualified for the 2021–22 UEFA Champions League after many years. He also won several awards, including Serie A's Best Goalkeeper. After six years with Milan, Donnarumma moved to Paris Saint-Germain in June 2021.

For his country, Donnarumma became the youngest player ever to play for Italy's Under-21 team. He was only 17. Later, he became the youngest goalkeeper to play for the senior Italian national team. He helped Italy win UEFA Euro 2020, a major European tournament, and was named the best player of the tournament. This was the first time a goalkeeper had won this award.

Early Life and Youth Career

Gianluigi Donnarumma was born in Castellammare di Stabia, a town in Italy. His older brother, Antonio, was also a goalkeeper. Gianluigi grew up supporting AC Milan. He also looked up to the legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.

Donnarumma started playing football at a local academy called ASD Club Napoli in 2003. When he was 14, in 2013, AC Milan signed him for €250,000. He played in Milan's youth teams, always playing with older age groups.

In February 2015, just before his 16th birthday, he was called up to the senior team. He didn't play in that match, but being on the bench at such a young age was special. In March 2015, he signed his first professional contract with Milan.

Club Career Highlights

Starting Strong at AC Milan

2015–2016: First Team Breakthrough

Donnarumma playing in 2015

In the 2015–16 season, Donnarumma joined Milan's senior team. He was initially the third-choice goalkeeper. He made his first team debut in a friendly match against Real Madrid in July. He saved two penalties in another friendly match, helping Milan win a trophy.

On 25 October 2015, Donnarumma made his official debut in Serie A against Sassuolo. He was only 16 years and 242 days old. This made him one of the youngest goalkeepers ever to start a match in Italian football history. His coach chose him over the more experienced goalkeeper, Diego López.

Donnarumma quickly became Milan's main goalkeeper. He kept his first clean sheet (meaning no goals were scored against him) a few days later. His amazing saves helped Milan win games and avoid defeats. People started calling him "the future of Milan and of Italian football."

By early 2016, he was firmly the first-choice goalkeeper. He played in the important "Derby della Madonnina" match against Internazionale, which Milan won 3–0. He also played in the Coppa Italia Final against Juventus, but Milan lost 1–0.

2016–2021: Becoming a Top Goalkeeper

Donnarumma lining up for AC Milan in 2016

In the 2016–17 season, Donnarumma saved his first penalty in a professional game. This helped Milan win their opening league match. In December 2016, he helped Milan win the Supercoppa Italiana by saving a penalty in a shootout. This was a big trophy for the club.

In July 2017, after some discussion, he signed a new contract with Milan until 2021. He played his first European game in the 2017–18 UEFA Europa League and kept a clean sheet. On 30 December 2017, Donnarumma played his 100th game for Milan. He was the youngest player to reach 100 appearances for the club.

He continued to set records, becoming the youngest player to reach 100 appearances in Serie A in April 2018. He helped Milan reach the Coppa Italia final again, but they lost to Juventus.

For the 2018–19 season, Donnarumma remained the main goalkeeper for Serie A matches. In February 2019, he played his 150th game for Milan. This made him one of Milan's top ten most-capped goalkeepers of all time.

In the 2019–20 season, he played his 200th game for Milan. He even wore the captain's armband for the first time. His great performances earned him the Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year award in 2020.

In his final season with Milan (2020–21), he played almost every game. He helped the team finish second in Serie A, which meant they qualified for the UEFA Champions League for the first time since 2014. After this season, his contract with Milan ended, and he decided to move to a new club. He made 251 appearances for Milan in total.

Moving to Paris Saint-Germain

On 15 July 2021, Donnarumma officially joined Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). He signed a five-year contract. He made his debut for PSG in a 4–0 league win in September 2021. He also made his UEFA Champions League debut that month.

In November 2021, Donnarumma won the Yashin Trophy. This award is given to the best goalkeeper in the world each year.

In October 2023, Donnarumma played against his old club, Milan, in the Champions League. Some fans showed their disappointment when he played against his old club, Milan. In January 2024, he saved a penalty kick in a league game against Lens, helping PSG win.

International Career

Youth and Senior Debut

Donnarumma played for Italy's under-17 team in 2015. In March 2016, he made his debut for the under-21 team. He was only 17 years and 28 days old, making him the youngest player ever to play for that team.

In August 2016, he was called up to the senior national team. He was 17 years and six months old, the youngest player to be called up since 1911. On 1 September, he made his senior debut against France. He became the youngest goalkeeper ever to play for Italy. In March 2017, he made his first start for Italy, again setting a record as the youngest goalkeeper to do so.

After Gianluigi Buffon retired from international football in 2018, Donnarumma became Italy's first-choice goalkeeper.

Euro 2020 Triumph

In June 2021, Donnarumma was part of Italy's squad for UEFA Euro 2020. He kept clean sheets in Italy's first three group matches. In the semi-final against Spain, the game went to a penalty shootout. Donnarumma saved a penalty, helping Italy win and reach the final.

On 11 July, in the final against England at Wembley Stadium, the game also went to a penalty shootout. Donnarumma saved two penalties, including the final one, to win the tournament for Italy. It was Italy's first European Championship title since 1968. For his amazing performances, he was named the Player of the Tournament. This was a historic achievement, as no goalkeeper had ever won this award before.

In October 2021, he captained his national team for the first time. He was the youngest Italian captain since 1965. Donnarumma was also named captain for UEFA Euro 2024. He saved a penalty in a group match against Croatia, helping Italy advance to the next stage.

Style of Play

Gianluigi Donnarumma is considered one of the most promising young footballers of his time. Many people see him as the next great Italian goalkeeper, following in the footsteps of Gianluigi Buffon. Buffon himself has praised Donnarumma's strength, skills, and calm attitude. He believes Donnarumma has a bright future.

Donnarumma is known for his tall and strong build, which helps him reach far. He is also very agile and calm under pressure. He has good reactions and is excellent at stopping penalty kicks. He is also seen as a natural leader on the field.

While he is good with the ball at his feet, some experts say he can still improve his ball control and how he distributes the ball. They also mention that he can get better at handling crosses and commanding his penalty area as he gains more experience.

Personal Life

Since 2017, Donnarumma has been in a relationship with Alessia Elefante. In July 2023, Donnarumma and Elefante faced a difficult situation at his home in Paris. In May 2024, it was announced that they are expecting their first child.

Career Statistics

Donnarumma playing for AC Milan in 2016

Club

International

Honours

AC Milan

• Supercoppa Italiana: 2016

Paris Saint-Germain

• Ligue 1: 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24
• Coupe de France: 2023–24
• Trophée des Champions: 2022, 2023, 2024

Italy

• UEFA European Championship: 2020
• UEFA Nations League third place: 2020–21, 2022–23

Individual

• UEFA Euro Player of the Tournament: 2020
• UEFA Euro Team of the Tournament: 2020
• Yashin Trophy: 2021
• IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper: 2021
• Globe Soccer Awards Best Goalkeeper of the Year: 2021
• FIFA FIFPro World11: 2021
• IFFHS Men's World Team: 2021
• Gazzetta Sports Awards Revelation of the Year: 2016
• Goal.com NxGn: 2017
• Italian Golden Boy Award: 2019
• Serie A Best Goalkeeper: 2020–21
• AIC Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year: 2020, 2021
• AIC Serie A Team of the Year: 2019–20, 2020–21
• UNFP Ligue 1 Goalkeeper of the Year: 2021–22, 2023–24
• UNFP Ligue 1 Team of the Year: 2021–22, 2023–24

Orders

• Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic: 2021

See also

In Spanish: Gianluigi Donnarumma para niños