Gianluigi Donnarumma facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Gianluigi Donnarumma

Donnarumma with Paris Saint-Germain in 2025
Personal information
Full name	Gianluigi Donnarumma
Date of birth	(1999-02-25) 25 February 1999 (age 26)
Place of birth	Castellammare di Stabia, Italy
Height	1.96 m (6 ft 5 in)
Position(s)	Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team	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	104	(0)
International career‡
2014	Italy U15	4	(0)
2014	Italy U16	3	(0)
2014–2015	Italy U17	10	(0)
2016–2017	Italy U21	7	(0)
2016–	Italy	74	(0)
Medal record 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
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 21:53, 17 May 2025 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 9 June 2025

Gianluigi Donnarumma is an Italian professional footballer. He plays as a goalkeeper for Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain. He is also the captain of the Italy national team. Many people think he is one of the best goalkeepers in the world.

Donnarumma started his career at AC Milan in 2015. He was only 16 years old. He quickly became a top young goalkeeper. In 2021, he helped Milan finish second in Serie A. He also won the Yashin Trophy that year. After six years with Milan, he joined Ligue 1 team Paris Saint-Germain in June 2021. With PSG, he won the UEFA Champions League in 2025. This completed a treble for the club.

For his country, Donnarumma became the youngest player to play for Italy's Under-21 team. He was 17 years old. Six months later, he played for the senior national team. He was the youngest goalkeeper ever to play for Italy. Donnarumma helped Italy win UEFA Euro 2020. He was named the Player of the Tournament. This was the first time a goalkeeper won this award.

Early Life and Football Start

Gianluigi Donnarumma was born in Castellammare di Stabia, Italy. His parents are Alfonso and Marinella. His older brother, Antonio, was also a goalkeeper. He also played in AC Milan's youth system. Gianluigi always supported AC Milan. He looked up to famous goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.

Club Career Highlights

AC Milan Journey

Youth Years: 2003–2015

Donnarumma started playing football at ASD Club Napoli in 2003. In 2013, when he was 14, AC Milan signed him. They paid €250,000 for him. His older brother Antonio was already playing for Milan. From 2013 to 2015, Gianluigi played in Milan's youth teams. He always played in older age groups.

Just before his 16th birthday in February 2015, he was called up to the senior team. He was on the bench for a league match. In March 2015, Donnarumma signed his first professional contract with Milan. It was valid until June 2018.

First Team Breakthrough: 2015–16

Donnarumma in 2015

At the start of the 2015–16 season, Donnarumma joined the senior team. He was the third-choice goalkeeper at first. He made his debut in a friendly match against Real Madrid in July 2015. He played well and saved two penalties in another friendly match. This helped Milan win the TIM Trophy.

Donnarumma made his official debut in Serie A on October 25, 2015. He played against Sassuolo. Milan won 2–1. He was only 16 years and 242 days old. This made him one of the youngest goalkeepers to start a Serie A match. His coach and teammates praised him. He kept his first clean sheet three days later. This was in a 1–0 win against Chievo.

By early 2016, Donnarumma became Milan's main goalkeeper. He helped Milan win 3–0 against Internazionale. He also played in the Coppa Italia Final against Juventus. Milan lost 1–0.

Becoming a Key Player: 2016–2021

Donnarumma lining up for AC Milan in 2016

In the first league match of the 2016–17 season, Donnarumma saved a penalty. This helped Milan win 3–2 against Torino. On December 23, he helped Milan win the Supercoppa Italiana. He saved a penalty in the shootout. Milan won 4–3 after a 1–1 draw.

In July 2017, Donnarumma signed a new contract with Milan until 2021. He played his first European game in the 2017–18 UEFA Europa League qualifiers. He kept clean sheets in his first three European matches. On December 30, 2017, he played his 100th game for Milan. He was the youngest player to reach this milestone for the club.

In February 2018, he saved two penalties in a shootout against Lazio. This sent Milan to the Coppa Italia final. In May, Milan lost 4–0 to Juventus in the final.

For the 2018–19 season, Donnarumma was the main goalkeeper for league games. In February 2019, he played his 150th game for Milan. He became one of Milan's top ten most-capped goalkeepers.

During the 2019–20 season, Donnarumma remained the starting goalkeeper. In July 2020, he played his 200th game for Milan. He wore the captain's armband for the first time. In March 2021, he was named the Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year. He was also included in the Serie A Team of the Year.

In the 2020–21 season, Donnarumma continued as the main goalkeeper. Milan finished second in Serie A. This meant they qualified for the UEFA Champions League for the first time since 2014. Donnarumma's contract with Milan ended on June 30, 2021. The club could not agree on a new deal with him. Milan's director, Paolo Maldini, confirmed he would leave. Donnarumma played 251 games for Milan. He kept 88 clean sheets.

Moving to Paris Saint-Germain

Donnarumma with Paris Saint-Germain in 2024

On July 15, 2021, Donnarumma officially joined Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). He signed a five-year contract. He made his debut for PSG on September 11, 2021. PSG won 4–0 against Clermont. He played his first UEFA Champions League game on September 28. PSG won 2–0 against Manchester City. In November, he saved his first penalty for PSG in the Champions League.

On November 29, 2021, Donnarumma won the Yashin Trophy. This award is given to the best goalkeeper of the year.

On October 25, 2023, Donnarumma played against his former club, AC Milan. PSG won 3–0. In the return match on November 7, Milan fans threw fake money at him. They called him "Dollarumma" to show their feelings about him leaving Milan for free.

On December 18, 2024, Donnarumma suffered a serious facial injury. He was kicked in the face during a match. This left a permanent scar. The player who kicked him, Wilfried Singo, later apologized.

Donnarumma made important saves in the 2024–25 UEFA Champions League knockout stage. He helped PSG beat three English teams: Liverpool, Aston Villa, and Arsenal. On March 11, 2025, he saved two penalties against Liverpool. This helped PSG win the shootout and eliminate Liverpool. In the final against Inter Milan, Donnarumma kept a clean sheet. PSG won 5–0. This was PSG's first Champions League title. It also completed their first continental treble.

The next month, he played in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup with PSG. His team reached the final. They lost 3–0 to Chelsea.

International Career

Youth Teams: 2014–2017

Donnarumma was the main goalkeeper for Italy's Under-17 team. He played in the 2015 UEFA European Under-17 Championship. On March 24, 2016, he made his debut for the Under-21 team. He was 17 years and 28 days old. This made him the youngest player ever to play for that team.

In June 2017, he played in the 2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. Italy reached the semi-finals. They lost 3–1 to Spain.

Senior Team Debut: 2016–2019

Donnarumma was called up to the senior squad in August 2016. He was 17 years and six months old. This made him the youngest player called up since 1911. On September 1, he made his senior debut against France. He came on at half-time. He was 17 years and 189 days old. This made him the youngest goalkeeper ever to play for Italy. On March 28, 2017, he made his first start for Italy. He was 18 years and 31 days old.

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

Euro 2020 Triumph and Euro 2024

Donnarumma (top, second from right) lining up for Italy in 2021

In June 2021, Donnarumma was part of Italy's squad for UEFA Euro 2020. He kept clean sheets in Italy's first three group wins. In the semi-final against Spain, the game ended 1–1. Donnarumma saved a penalty in the shootout. This helped Italy win 4–2 and reach the final.

On July 11, in the final against England, the game was 1–1 after extra time. Donnarumma saved two penalties in the shootout. This helped Italy win the tournament for the first time since 1968. He was named the Player of the Tournament. This was the first time a goalkeeper won this award.

On October 10, 2021, he captained Italy for the first time. He was the youngest Italy captain since 1965.

Donnarumma captaining Italy in 2025

Donnarumma was named captain for UEFA Euro 2024 in May 2024. In Italy's final group match against Croatia, he saved a penalty. Italy drew 1–1 and moved to the knockout stages. Italy was eliminated in the round of 16 after losing 2–0 to Switzerland.

Playing Style

Donnarumma has always been seen as a very promising young goalkeeper. Many people believe he is the next Gianluigi Buffon. Buffon himself has praised Donnarumma's strength, skills, and calm attitude. He said Donnarumma has a great future. Other famous goalkeepers have also praised his talent and professionalism.

Experts say Donnarumma's strengths include his height, quick reactions, and ability to stop shots. He is also good at saving penalties. He is seen as a natural leader. Some areas he has worked on include his ball control and passing. He also improved his ability to come off his line and claim crosses.

After moving to PSG, Donnarumma improved a lot. He became one of the best goalkeepers in the world. He worked on his composure and playing with his feet. During PSG's treble-winning season in 2024–25, he was praised for his positioning, shot-stopping, and athleticism.

Personal Life

Since 2017, Donnarumma has been in a relationship with Alessia Elefante. In July 2023, they were attacked during a robbery at their home in Paris. In May 2024, it was announced that Alessia was expecting their first child.

Career Statistics

Donnarumma playing for AC Milan in 2016

Club

International

Honours and Awards

AC Milan

• Supercoppa Italiana: 2016

Paris Saint-Germain

• Ligue 1: 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24, 2024–25
• Coupe de France: 2023–24, 2024–25
• Trophée des Champions: 2022, 2023, 2024
• UEFA Champions League: 2024–25
• FIFA Club World Cup runner-up: 2025

Italy

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

Individual Awards

• UEFA European Championship Player of the Tournament: 2020
• UEFA European Championship 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
• Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year: 2020, 2021
• 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
• The Athletic Ligue 1 Team of the Season: 2023–24
• UEFA Champions League Team of the Season: 2024–25

Orders

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

See also

In Spanish: Gianluigi Donnarumma para niños