Donnarumma ‘could have become a carpenter’

Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma insists ‘fans are important’ and reveals he could have become a carpenter if he hadn’t played football.

The 22-year-old spoke about his career live on Twitch with Justees.

“My uncle was a goalkeeper, and I grew up with his myth. I’ve always wanted to become the best, and I hope I will make it one day,” Donnarumma said.

“I understood I could become a pro when I left for Milan. When I did it and saw my parents being sad I understood I would have become a Serie A goalkeeper.

“Plan B was to work as a carpenter, like my dad, but I’ve always had only a plan A,” he revealed.

“Christian Abbiati was very important for me when I joined Milan, he helped me a lot and made me feel at ease,” the goalkeeper added.

Donnarumma will see his contract expire at the end of the season and a group of Milan ultras urged him to sign a contract extension in a tense meeting last week.

“Fans can help during tough times and we must accept criticism when things are not going well. Unfortunately, they haven’t been in the stadiums lately, but we are waiting for them,” Donnarumma said.

Aside from his contract situation, which are his plans for the future?

“I’d like to win as many trophies as possible, especially the World Cup, it would be great,” Donnarumma said.

“Euro 2020 is the first international trophy I will play in my career, we can do well, I am looking forward to it and I think France is the side that can create most trouble for us.”