Italy captain and Manchester City player Gianluigi Donnarumma has said he is “calm, excited, and happy” as he prepares to lead the Azzurri into tomorrow’s World Cup qualifier in Bergamo, Softfootball reports.
The 25-year-old goalkeeper arrives in camp following a dramatic summer. Shown the door by Paris Saint-Germain just hours before the UEFA Super Cup, having sealed a move to Manchester City.
Speaking to the Italian national team media, Donnarumma emphasised that what matters to him winning Italy’s first two qualifying games and continue his new run with City.
He said:
They really wanted me, and that flattered me The goal is to win as much as possible with City and with Italy, bringing the national team back where it deserves to be.
With the game against Estonia and Israel, Donnarumma remained unperturbed, viewing it as the start of Italy’s journey to America 2026.
Speaking about the talents in the team, he said:
We need to start strong, demonstrate our value, and stay focused brushing off doubts about Italy’s talent pool.
We have quality players and Serie A is growing.
Meanwhile, Donnarumma, who has reunited with Gennaro Gattuso, said the manager played a major role in his upbringing during his spell at AC Milan, where he first met the Italian international.
Donnarumma will be behind the sticks at Bergamo when Italy welcome Estonia for their third World Cup qualifying game. The Azurri are currently third in Group I, behind Israel and Norway, with three points.
