London: Italy’s inspirational journey to the Euro 2020 title was undeniably a collective effort under the keen eyes of Roberto Mancini. But one man who played a notable role for the ‘Azzurri’ especially in the knock-out phase, was goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. The performance of the 22-year-old giant was such that he was awarded the Best player of the Tournament — only custodian to do so after Denmark’s Peter Schmeichel in 1992.
Gianluigi Donnarumma. A national hero. 🦸♂️#VivoAzzurro #EURO2020 #ITA #ITAENG pic.twitter.com/Q7qg11O99T
— Italy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@azzurri) July 11, 2021
However, it looked like someone from his very nation with the same first name knew it way before that how the things would go on. Former Italian legendary custodian Gianluigi Buffon had opened up in the media back in 2016 about the sheer potential the teenage Donnarumma possesses, who was back then in his debut season in the professional football with AC Milan.
“He’s reactive, solid. The thing I like most though, is that we’re talking about a good lad, very level-headed, which is the key thing for a good career.” Buffon had said five years ago. He also mentioned about the positive attitude of the media for not making waves of hype around him.
“And I have to say well-done to the media, you’re helping him to grow gradually, without too much unnecessary pressure. I see intelligent, measured judgements, and that’s how it should be with the very young,” Buffon further added.
Fast forward to 2021 and it looked the foresight of ‘Senior Gigi’ about the ‘Junior Gigi’ fitted perfectly. Tamed as the heir of his predecessor, Donnarumma lit up the Euro 2020 knockout phase when he made two crucial saves from Belgium’s Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku in the quarterfinal.
Donnarumma was again in the spotlight when he helped Italy edge past Spain in the semifinal penalty shootout. In the final against England as well, his save to deny Bukayo Saka was actually the crowning moment while his cold walk celebration was thing of an absolute beauty.
