Donnarumma on PSG Champions League dream and Italy criticism | OneFootball

Italy international Gianluigi Donnarumma said he ‘dreams of winning the Champions League’ at Paris Saint-Germain, but reveals what ‘irritates’ him about certain criticism.

The former Milan shot-stopper moved to PSG as a free agent in the summer of 2021 and has been able to win three Ligue 1 titles, two French Super Cups and one Coupe de France, as well as the EURO 2020 trophy for Italy.

“I am happy in Paris and am even more settled now that my son has been born here,” Donnarumma told Sport Mediaset in Italy.

“I feel like a leader of this squad and dream of winning the Champions League. It has become a bit of an obsession at PSG, but it shouldn’t weigh on us too heavily. As for Ligue 1, it will be difficult this season, because I know how good Roberto De Zerbi is at Olympique Marseille, but we too have a great coach like Luis Enrique.”

Donnarumma critical of own performance

GELSENKIRCHEN, GERMANY – JUNE 20: Gianluigi Donnarumma of Italy reacts during the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match between Spain and Italy at Arena AufSchalke on June 20, 2024 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)

There has been a great deal of criticism against the goalkeeper, both when representing Italy and at club level, but he assures nobody is harder on him than his own mind.

“I am very self-critical and at the end of a game I always try to understand where I can do better. Recently, since leaving Italy, I am a bit too targeted for criticism and that irritates me a little bit, but I also have broad shoulders and have been in football long enough to know how it works. I know that I need to stay inside my bubble,” added the 25-year-old.

Having joined in 2021, Donnarumma is curiously now one of the veterans of the Paris Saint-Germain squad.

“I am right now one of the few players who have been here for a few years, as they are almost all very young or new arrivals, so I do feel that responsibility. Fortunately, we have a captain like Marquinhos who keeps everyone in line, but I too feel responsibility to pass on advice to the new players.”

Donnarumma was only 16 when he made his Serie A debut at Milan, so he has been watching 16-year-old Rossoneri striker Francesco Camarda with interest.

“I got to know Francesco when we played a friendly before the Euros and my first impression is that he’s exceptional, really humble and a good lad. I hope he can do really well for Milan. It’s important to keep his feet on the ground, but having met him, I don’t think that will be an issue,” assured the goalkeeper.

“He needs to be given time to grow and learn from mistakes, then I am sure he’ll go far.”

Camarda made his Serie A debut at just 15 and played his first Champions League match at 16.