Just days after leaving European champions PSG for Manchester City, Donnarumma took questions about his controversial transfer and his relationship with his former club.
Introduction
"I've been feeling a bit of the effects of what's been happening in the last few days, but I've always felt good. I couldn't wait to go to City. (Pep) Guardiola really wanted me, and that flattered me. To be wanted like this by the best club in the world can only make you proud. I'm very excited and happy."
How disappointed were you by Luis Enrique? Can a coach like that say those words?
"I've always had an excellent relationship with the manager. He was direct with me, right from the first days of training camp. I don't know if I was disappointed, everyone makes their own decisions. The manager has the power to decide, but having everyone's support—especially my teammates—made me realize what I had given to PSG, and I think that's the most important thing. Because beyond football, what remains is this: knowing the affection of the entire environment, of my teammates, made me proud of what I left behind."
Would you have given up anything to stay in Paris? What does Rino Gattuso bring?
"I had a great time in Paris, I felt at home these past four years. I'll never forget them. I had Gattuso as a coach at AC Milan, I know what kind of person he is and what he can bring. I'm happy to have him back here, he's started off great and is giving it his all. We'll give it our all to bring Italy back to the top, but now we need to think step by step and pull together. We have a strong, young team that wants to grow and inspire. I'm happy and I think we'll take a big step forward."
In 2021, you joined PSG while playing for the national team, and now you're at City in a similar situation. How do you feel about this situation now? What hurt you the most?
"I asked the president to sign here because it brought good luck back then... (laughs, ed.) I'm at peace. When you're so strongly wanted by a club like City, it means you've done well. To be wanted by one of the best coaches in the world like Guardiola is an indescribable feeling. Disappointed? Every coach makes his own decisions. Not at all disappointed, especially because Luis Enrique was straight forward with me, and I was pleased. Feeling the affection of my teammates, of the Parisian environment, that really moved me."
Was it the best year of your career? You run the risk of being the only Italian player to miss three World Cups... what's that thought?
"I don't think about that... About the season, I think so, we won a lot. I had four wonderful years in Paris, but the last year was one of the best of my career and I'm proud of it. I hope to continue like this and win many more trophies. I want to continue dreaming and pursuing many new goals. Now the first objective is the national team, we have two important matches and we need to work hard, fight because in these two matches we have to show that we are solid and hungry. I'm sure we will prove it."
Many national team players are now in the Premier League. Is this a graduation certificate, or does it mean Serie A has lost its competitiveness?
"Serie A is an important league that has grown significantly. Everyone says it lacks talent, but that's nonsense. The talent is there and the players are strong. We have a strong national team that can grow a lot, and over time, their confidence will grow too. I'm sure that together we'll do a great job and get great satisfaction."
There's been a lot of talk about your flaws in the build-up, and then you go and play for Guardiola. Is that the only reason for your departure from PSG? What went wrong with Luciano Spalletti?
"Every coach makes his own choice, I don't know the reason, and I don't even want to know. I'm proud to be coached by Guardiola, I'm sure I can improve a lot under him. I salute Mr. Spalletti, he gave me so much: I hear from him often, and unfortunately, something went wrong, but not just because of the coach's shortcomings. We were the ones on the pitch; we had to do something more. Regarding the change of coach, I say that these decisions are the President's, I won't go into it. But I'm happy to have a relationship with Spalletti because he has given so much to football and can give so much."
And your footwork?
"I always try to help the team. There's definitely room for improvement in everything, and I'll try to improve in everything the coach asks of me."
What are your new goals?
"To win as many as possible, both with City and with Italy. We want to bring Italy back to where they deserve to be; everyone deserves it. That's my goal; we want to show that we can do it because we're a strong team."
How do you get through such turbulent times? When did you realise it was over in Paris?
"I've always trained with the Paris goalkeeping coach, and there were never any problems in that regard. I was fine, I couldn't wait to come here and work with the team. To start a new journey. I've always trained well. I learned I was no longer part of PSG's plans at the start of the training camp."
Have you ever thought you were bad with your feet? How do you see Serie A?
"I started playing in Serie A at 16 and have always done great things so far. Serie A is very competitive, there are many teams that can aim for the final victory and for me it will be a very tough year. It's difficult to call them a favorite; four or five teams will fight to get to the final."