In a historic night at Munich’s Allianz Arena on May 31, 2025, Paris Saint-Germain clinched their first-ever UEFA Champions League title with a resounding 5-0 victory over Inter Milan, marking the largest winning margin in the competition’s final history. At the heart of this triumph was Italy’s captain and PSG’s formidable goalkeeper, Gianluigi Donnarumma, whose stellar performances throughout the tournament were instrumental in securing the coveted trophy. Yet, as the Parc des Princes faithful erupted in celebration and the Eiffel Tower glowed in PSG’s colors, Donnarumma revealed a poignant struggle to fully embrace the moment, weighed down by the bonds he shares with his Italian national team colleagues who stood on the losing side.
The 26-year-old goalkeeper, who joined PSG in 2021 after a storied tenure with AC Milan, has been a cornerstone of the French club’s historic treble-winning campaign, which also included Ligue 1 and Coupe de France titles. Donnarumma’s heroics in goal, including crucial saves against Liverpool in the round of 16 and Arsenal in the semi-finals, cemented his reputation as one of the world’s elite shot-stoppers. In the final, though, PSG’s relentless attack, led by 19-year-old Désiré Doué, meant Donnarumma had little to do as his team dismantled Inter Milan with ruthless efficiency. Despite kissing the Champions League trophy and being embraced by PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, Donnarumma’s joy was tempered by the sight of his defeated compatriots.
Speaking to reporters on June 4, 2025, at Italy’s training camp in Coverciano, where he reunited with Inter’s Alessandro Bastoni, Federico Dimarco, Nicolò Barella, and Davide Frattesi ahead of World Cup qualifiers, Donnarumma opened up about the emotional conflict he faced. “The truth is, I struggled to fully enjoy the Champions League victory, because on the other side, there were brothers I’ve always fought alongside,” he said, his voice carrying the weight of camaraderie forged through years of representing Italy. “There was a real heartfelt hug with those teammates after the game, and I’m happy about that.” His words echoed the sentiments he shared in various interviews, including one with M6, where he described the final as “a difficult match with a lot of emotion” due to the presence of his national team comrades on the opposing side.
Donnarumma’s connection to his Italian teammates runs deep, rooted in shared triumphs like Italy’s 2021 European Championship victory, where his penalty shootout saves against England earned him widespread acclaim. Facing Bastoni, Dimarco, Barella, and Frattesi—key figures in Italy’s national setup—in such a high-stakes club match created a complex emotional landscape for the goalkeeper. “I couldn’t fully savor the success,” he admitted, a sentiment that resonated across posts on X, where fans noted his empathy for his “Inter brothers” who suffered the crushing defeat.
The match itself was a stark contrast to Donnarumma’s internal struggle. PSG, under the tactical mastery of Luis Enrique, overwhelmed Inter Milan with a display of positional intelligence and relentless pressing, leaving the Italian side, including veteran defender Francesco Acerbi, looking “lost,” as reported by Corriere dello Sport. Inter, who finished second in Serie A and were runners-up in two of the last three Champions League finals, could not cope with PSG’s youthful vigor and strategic clarity, leading to the departure of their coach, Simone Inzaghi, shortly after the match.
Adding to Donnarumma’s complex narrative is the uncertainty surrounding his future at PSG. With his contract set to expire in June 2026, speculation about a potential move has intensified, with clubs like Manchester City, Manchester United, Juventus, and even Inter Milan reportedly monitoring his situation. His agent, Enzo Raiola, dismissed rumors of a move to Napoli as “pure fantasy” but acknowledged that “only a few can afford” the goalkeeper, who is seeking a new deal worth €10 million annually, a figure PSG has so far been reluctant to meet. “We will see,” Donnarumma said cryptically when pressed about his future, a response that has fueled speculation about a possible return to Serie A or a move to the Premier League.
For now, Donnarumma’s focus has shifted to international duty, where he emphasized the importance of Italy qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. “We absolutely must get to the World Cup,” he urged, calling on Italian fans to rally behind the Azzurri. His leadership as captain and his performances on the pitch continue to define him, but his candid reflections on the Champions League final reveal a player whose loyalty to his teammates transcends club rivalries.