In mid-June, Ousmane Dembele shared a heartwarming story about Gianluigi Donnarumma with France Football magazine. “Before the Champions League final, on the bus, Gigio gave each player and coaching staff member a letter containing encouraging words about what we had accomplished during the season," the French forward recounted. “We were already determined, but the letter further motivated us. It gave us chills. He wrote it in French, English, and Portuguese, for everyone.”

Donnarumma not only delivered a sweet and meaningful message that touched his teammates before the momentous occasion, but he had also become a hero in PSG's historic first Champions League title win through brilliant performances that helped them overcome Liverpool, Aston Villa, and Arsenal.

Donnarumma lifts the Champions League trophy after PSG defeated Inter 5-0 in the final at Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany on 31/5/2025. Photo: Reuters

Donnarumma lifts the Champions League trophy after PSG defeated Inter 5-0 in the final at Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany on 31/5/2025. Photo: Reuters

But time moves swiftly, and football can be cruel. Just 72 days later, on 11/8, French media reported that Donnarumma had been excluded from the squad for the European Super Cup match against Tottenham. This was one of the most abrupt moves in football in recent years. According to Le Parisien, PSG publicly signaled their decision to part ways with one of the best goalkeepers in the world. They had also prepared a replacement, having acquired Lucas Chevalier from Lille.

L'Equipe reports that during negotiations with Chevalier, PSG management, particularly sporting advisor Luis Campos, promised the French goalkeeper the starting position. They also implied that the situation of having two top goalkeepers on the team wouldn't last long.

Bad omens for Donnarumma had appeared even before the Champions League final. Despite his contract running until 6/2026, contract extension talks stalled for months as PSG repeatedly rejected his salary demands. At the time, RMC Sport reported that the Italian goalkeeper confided in some close associates that his journey in Paris might be ending. This was against his wishes, having played 161 matches, won 10 titles with PSG, served as vice-captain, and enjoyed strong support from his teammates.

Le Parisien further reported that the Euro 2020 winner was informed of Chevalier's impending arrival before the deal was announced. During pre-season training, Donnarumma was frequently excluded from practice matches. On Monday, 11/8, in one of the final training sessions at the Poissy center before departing for Udine, Italy, for the Super Cup, Donnarumma was absent. The three goalkeepers present were Chevalier, Matvei Safonov, and another newcomer, Renato Marin.

Coach Enrique (third from left, front row) and PSG first-team members welcome Chevalier (center) during the new goalkeeper's first training session on 9/8. Photo: psg.fr

Coach Enrique (third from left, front row) and PSG first-team members welcome Chevalier (center) during the new goalkeeper's first training session on 9/8. Photo: psg.fr

Enrique's Rule: Everyone is Equal

Upon joining PSG in the summer of 2023, Enrique stated his philosophy: “You will understand my decisions through my actions," and “No one is irreplaceable.” The goalkeeper position became a demonstration of this viewpoint. He brought Arnau Tenas, a La Masia graduate known for his footwork, to Parc des Princes despite Donnarumma's presence.

During the 2023-2024 season, Tenas received some starts but didn't fully meet expectations. Consequently, Enrique reluctantly considered Donnarumma the first choice, particularly in the Champions League, even though he often visibly reacted with displeasure from the sidelines to Donnarumma's footwork during build-up play.

By 12/2024, Enrique still had doubts about Donnarumma's ability in crucial European matches, evident in Safonov starting the important Champions League game against Bayern. Despite unimpressive results, the Russian backup goalkeeper played 17 matches last season.

Without exceptional Champions League performances from early 2025, Donnarumma would have struggled to compensate for his perceived shortcomings: weak footwork under pressure, hesitancy with aerial balls, and a perceived incompatibility with Enrique's playing style.

The Champions League victory after the triumphant 5-0 win against Inter in Munich seemed to secure Donnarumma's place, leading to a contract extension. However, Enrique and his staff appeared to think differently.

“Enrique doesn't dwell on past achievements. For him, sometimes demolition is necessary for rebuilding, and because Enrique is always right, as he has built that reputation, one might think he isn't entirely wrong. The drastic, almost ruthless action in Donnarumma's case, despite disrupting a team that admired him, might be PSG's way of restoring balance before the first match," L'Equipe commented.

Donnarumma in a challenge where his face took the full force of Wilfried Singo's boot during PSG's 4-2 victory against Monaco at Stade Louis II in Ligue 1 on 18/12/2024. Photo: AFP

Donnarumma in a challenge where his face took the full force of Wilfried Singo's boot during PSG's 4-2 victory against Monaco at Stade Louis II in Ligue 1 on 18/12/2024. Photo: AFP

Enrique's tact, if any, in handling Donnarumma was evident in his refusal to discuss the goalkeeping hierarchy when asked about Chevalier's recruitment. He praised the young goalkeeper's qualities and expressed confidence in his potential to become a top player.

Behind the scenes, Campos promised the 23-year-old newcomer the starting spot, though this might have been a negotiation tactic. Campos had given Chevalier his first professional contract at Lille at 16. Given Chevalier's trajectory over the past three years and the expectations surrounding him, he wouldn't have left Lille to be a backup.

New Salary Structure and Avoiding a Kylian Mbappe Repeat

If Enrique merely wanted competition, why did PSG outrightly discard Donnarumma? The answer might lie in contract issues. Before this incident, Donnarumma, through close sources, leaked information to L'Equipe that he could stay at PSG until his contract expired next year, leveraging his position if salary demands weren't met for a new deal.

Learning from the Mbappe saga, where the superstar left on a free transfer to join Real last summer, PSG's management refused to let Donnarumma enter the final year of his contract with the risk of leaving without a transfer fee next year.

Enrique (in a white cap) stands next to Donnarumma (in a white shirt) during a PSG training session before the Champions League final against Inter at the end of 5/2025. Photo: La Republica

Enrique (in a white cap) stands next to Donnarumma (in a white shirt) during a PSG training session before the Champions League final against Inter at the end of 5/2025. Photo: La Republica

Donnarumma's current salary is estimated at around 987,000 USD per month. Under the model established by sporting advisor Luis Campos in 2022, PSG proposed a fixed salary combined with performance-based bonuses, potentially comprising up to a third of his income. In essence, PSG wanted Donnarumma to accept a pay cut and imposed a fixed salary plus key performance indicator (KPI) structure on all new contracts.

However, Donnarumma's agent, Enzo Raiola, deemed this formula unsuitable. "We're talking about the best goalkeeper in the world," Raiola emphasized to Gazzetta dello Sport in March, calling his client a leading contender for the 2025 Ballon d'Or.

Regardless of PSG's true motives – whether switching to a new goalkeeper due to Donnarumma's technical or tactical limitations, financial considerations, or even using financial reasons to mask his shortcomings – one thing is certain: since Enrique and Campos took charge, no player has been allowed to defy their principles.

“PSG spent 15 years searching for the missing pieces, including a world-class goalkeeper, to conquer the Champions League, and when they found him, they discarded him. It's a sad situation. But Enrique and Campos's rules remain unshakeable, especially now that the Champions League trophy is in their trophy cabinet," RMC Sport commented.

In an Instagram post on 9/8, Donnarumma posed with his wife alongside the caption "number 1," expressing both sarcasm and disappointment at the management's attitude. Those close to Donnarumma, both personally and professionally, have expressed bitterness and shock.

“After everything Gigio did to help win the Champions League, why exclude him from a match PSG wouldn't even be in without his contribution…," L'Equipe quoted a person close to Donnarumma.

Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma makes a save from Marcus Rashford's shot during PSG's 2-3 loss to Aston Villa at Villa Park, Birmingham, England, in the Champions League quarter-final second leg on 15/4. Photo: AFP

Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma makes a save from Marcus Rashford's shot during PSG's 2-3 loss to Aston Villa at Villa Park, Birmingham, England, in the Champions League quarter-final second leg on 15/4. Photo: AFP

Having been excluded from the Super Cup squad and first-team training, the Italian goalkeeper is likely to be placed in a separate group with Carlos Soler, Asensio, Renato Sanches, Kolo Muani, Mukiele, and Housni – players still under contract but asked to leave before 2/9. This group currently trains with the youth team. The 26-year-old goalkeeper is unlikely to stay until his contract ends to receive a large signing bonus upon joining another team on a free transfer. According to RMC Sport, several English clubs, including Man Utd, Man City, and Chelsea, are interested in Donnarumma. The Premier League appears to be his most likely destination if he leaves.

Regardless of his choice, Donnarumma seems unlikely to play for PSG again. It's a strange ending for someone who was key to the club's historic Champions League journey.

Compiled by Hoang Thong