Gianluigi Donnarumma Biography: Net Worth, Age, Career, Records, Family, Achievements!
Gianluigi Donnarumma is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain and the Italy national team. Despite only being 23 years old, Donnarumma has already established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in world football.
Some key facts about Gianluigi Donnarumma:
- Born: 25 February 1999 (age 23 years), Castellammare di Stabia, Italy
- Height: 1.96 m
- Current teams: Paris Saint-Germain F.C. (#50 / Goalkeeper), Italy national football team (#1 / Goalkeeper)
- Former teams: Milan, Club Napoli
In this extensive article, we will explore Donnarumma’s biography, net worth, age, career, records, family, achievements and relationships. Read on to learn everything you need to know about this talented young goalkeeper who is already shaping up to be one of the greats.
Biography and Early Life
Gianluigi Donnarumma was born on 25 February 1999 in Castellammare di Stabia, Italy. He grew up in the small town of Gragnano near Naples along with his elder brother Antonio, who is also a goalkeeper.
Donnarumma comes from a working-class family – his father Alfonso worked as a janitor while his mother Marinella was a housewife. As a child, Gigio always had a keen interest in football and looked up to Gianluigi Buffon as his role model.
From an early age, Donnarumma displayed exceptional talent as a goalkeeper. He started playing football at the age of 5 and joined Club Napoli’s youth academy when he was just 7 years old. Donnarumma quickly stood out for his height, composure and shot-stopping abilities.
At the age of 14, he signed for AC Milan’s youth team and continued honing his skills. Donnarumma represented Italy at various youth levels before making his breakthrough into Milan’s senior team as a 16-year old in 2015.
Professional Career at AC Milan
Donnarumma made his Milan debut as a late substitute against Sassuolo in October 2015, becoming the youngest goalkeeper ever to play in Serie A at just 16 years and 242 days old.
The young prodigy was promoted to Milan’s first team in 2016 by then-manager Sinisa Mihajlovic. Donnarumma immediately became the club’s starting goalkeeper, playing ahead of more experienced shot-stoppers like Diego Lopez and Marco Storari.
In his first season as Milan’s #1, Donnarumma played in all 38 of their Serie A matches. He quickly became known for his composure, confidence, reflexes and ability to command the penalty area despite his tender age.
Donnarumma’s impressive performances led to him winning the 2016 Golden Boy award for the best under-21 player in Europe. He also received the Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year award in his debut season, becoming the youngest ever recipient at just 17 years old.
Over the next few seasons, Donnarumma continued establishing himself as Milan’s undisputed first-choice keeper. By the age of 18, he had already made over 100 appearances for the Rossoneri across all competitions.
Donnarumma produced several match-winning displays and gained a reputation as a penalty-saving specialist. In June 2017, he helped Italy’s under-21 team reach the final of the UEFA European Championship.
While Donnarumma became popular with Milan fans, his contract renewal negotiations often made headlines. In 2017, he initially decided not to renew his deal but eventually signed a new contract until 2021.
In 2020-21, Donnarumma played a key role in Milan’s return to the Champions League after a seven-year absence. He saved two penalties in a deciding league match against Juventus that secured Milan’s top-four finish.
Donnarumma’s shot-stopping and distribution skills established him as one of the best goalkeepers in Serie A. He made over 200 appearances for Milan before departing as a free agent in 2021.
Transfer to Paris Saint-Germain
In July 2021, Donnarumma signed a five-year contract with French club Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer. This came after he failed to agree on a new deal with Milan.
Donnarumma joined PSG as a direct replacement for veteran keeper Keylor Navas. However, the two have shared goalkeeping duties in an unusual rotation system implemented by manager Mauricio Pochettino.
Despite the competition with Navas, Donnarumma immediately became PSG’s first-choice keeper for cup tournaments. He made his debut in August 2021 by saving a penalty in the Trophee des Champions win over Lille.
Later that month, Donnarumma emerged as the hero in the French Super Cup final by making a decisive save in the penalty shootout against Marseille. This cemented his status as PSG’s cup goalkeeper.
In his first Champions League match for PSG, Donnarumma produced an outstanding individual display against Manchester City. He made numerous crucial saves as PSG came from behind to win 2-0.
The young Italian played a pivotal role in PSG’s run to the knockout stages of the Champions League. He kept clean sheets against Manchester City and Club Brugge.
While still adapting to Ligue 1, Donnarumma has shown his immense potential at PSG. His arrival represents part of the club’s long-term project to win Europe’s elite club competition.
International Career for Italy
Donnarumma earned his first Italy call-up in 2016 for a friendly against France. At 17 years and six months, he became the youngest goalkeeper ever to be selected for the Azzurri.
He had to wait until 2017 for his senior international debut in a friendly match against Netherlands. Donnarumma immediately became Italy’s first-choice keeper and started all their games at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Despite Italy’s disappointing group-stage exit in 2018, Donnarumma emerged as one of the few positives. He excelled on the big stage at just 19 years old.
Donnarumma also played every minute in Italy’s successful Euro 2020 qualifying campaign under manager Roberto Mancini. His consistency and shot-stopping abilities established him as one of Europe’s top international goalkeepers.
At Euro 2020, Donnarumma played a pivotal role as Italy won their first major tournament since 2006. He saved crucial penalties in the semi-final shootout victory over Spain and the final shootout win against England.
For his performances, Donnarumma earned the Euro 2020 Player of the Tournament award. He was also included in the Team of the Tournament after keeping three clean sheets and saving penalties at critical moments.
Already with over 30 caps at just 23, Donnarumma looks set to hold down Italy’s goalkeeping position for the next decade. He is widely viewed as the heir to legendary keeper Gianluigi Buffon.
Net Worth, Endorsements and Sponsorships
According to multiple reports, Gianluigi Donnarumma has an estimated net worth of around $10 million as of 2024. However, at just 23 years old, he has many more prime playing years ahead to significantly boost his earnings and net worth.
Donnarumma currently earns an annual salary of $12 million at PSG, making him one of the highest-paid goalkeepers globally. At Milan, he was earning around $6 million per year before becoming a free agent.
As his reputation grows, Donnarumma has signed lucrative endorsement deals with major brands like Nike, Panini, Esselunga, and wefox. He has the potential to become one of the top athlete endorsers from Italy over the next decade.
Donnarumma’s marketability, combined with his abilities and long career ahead, could potentially see his net worth grow to over $50 million in the future. Much will depend on his success at club and international level going forward.
Records and Achievements
Despite his youth, Donnarumma has already accomplished a series of impressive feats:
- Youngest goalkeeper ever to play in Serie A (16 years, 242 days)
- Youngest goalkeeper to represent Italy at senior level (17 years, 6 months)
- Youngest recipient of the Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year award (17 years old)
- Named Golden Boy award winner for best U-21 player in Europe in 2016
- Key member of Italy’s Euro 2020 winning team and Player of the Tournament
- Only teenager to play over 200 games in one of Europe’s top-five leagues
- One of just two goalkeepers to save three penalties at European Championship finals along with Portugal’s Ricardo
Donnarumma also holds the record for most clean sheets (21) by an Italy goalkeeper since World War II. At club level, he kept 48 clean sheets in all competitions before turning 20.
By winning Euro 2020 at just 22 years old, Donnarumma also became the youngest goalkeeper to lift either the World Cup or European Championship
Conclusion
In summary, Gianluigi Donnarumma is one of the most talented young goalkeepers in world football today. Despite only being 23 years old, he has already achieved great success at both club and international level.
Donnarumma has quickly established himself as the first-choice keeper for both Paris Saint-Germain and the Italian national team. His shot-stopping reflexes, composure under pressure, distribution skills, and commanding presence set him apart from most other keepers his age.
While Donnarumma’s career is still in its early stages, he already looks set to be Italy’s long-term number one. If he can maintain his excellent form and keep developing, Donnarumma has the potential to cement himself as one of the greatest goalkeepers of his generation.
His trophy-winning displays for PSG and Italy, especially at Euro 2020, underline his world-class credentials. Off the field, Donnarumma has the marketability and earning potential to become one of football’s highest-paid and most endorsed players over the coming decade.
At just 23 years old, the best is likely yet to come from this prodigiously talented shot-stopper who has already achieved so much, but still has frightening potential. Donnarumma’s career will certainly be exciting to follow in the years ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Gianluigi Donnarumma’s current age and birthdate?
Donnarumma is currently 23 years old. He was born on 25 February 1999 in Castellammare di Stabia, Italy.
What position does Donnarumma play?
Donnarumma plays as a goalkeeper. He is known for his height, reach, reflexes and shot-stopping abilities between the posts.
Which club does Donnarumma currently play for?
He currently plays for Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1, having signed for the French club in 2021 on a free transfer from AC Milan.
How much is Donnarumma worth in 2024?
Donnarumma’s net worth is estimated to be around $10 million as of 2024. However, he has potential to significantly increase his earnings over his career.
What is Donnarumma’s salary at PSG?
The Italian goalkeeper earns an annual salary of approximately $12 million at Paris Saint-Germain as of 2024.
Which brands has Donnarumma endorsed?
Donnarumma has endorsement deals with major companies like Nike, Panini, Esselunga and wefox. He is considered a very marketable athlete.
What number does Donnarumma wear for PSG and Italy?
Donnarumma wears the number 50 shirt for Paris Saint-Germain and the number 1 shirt when representing Italy.
What trophies has Donnarumma won in his career so far?
Major trophies won include Euro 2020 with Italy, Ligue 1 with PSG, and the Trophee des Champions & French Super Cup with PSG.
