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BERGAMO, ITALY – MARCH 26: Gianluigi Donnarumma of Italy celebrates his team’s first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs match between Italy and Northern Ireland at Stadio di Bergamo on March 26, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Italy national team captain Gianluigi Donnarumma says that he couldn’t train for several days after losing to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the World Cup play-off final at the end of March, and says that the thing that hurt the most was the subsequent departures of Gennaro Gattuso, Gianluigi Buffon and Gabriele Gravina.
Donnarumma is back among the Italy squad for a pair of international friendlies against Luxembourg on June 3 and against Greece on June 7.
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The Manchester City goalkeeper, 27, is very much the elder statesman of the current Italy squad, led by interim CT Silvio Baldini. Baldini is usually in charge of the Italy U21s and has brought most of his regular squad with him. Of the 24 players he has selected, only Donnarumma, Marco Palestra, Niccolo Pisilli and Francesco Pio Esposito have been capped at senior level.
Following Baldini’s introductory press conference on Friday, it was Donnarumma’s turn to speak to the media at Coverciano on Saturday.
Donnarumma says that he is impressed with what he saw from the youthful Italy squad during their first training session on Friday, but admits that there is still an open wound following the failure to make the 2026 World Cup.
Donnarumma on 2026 World Cup failure, young Italy squad, Olympic possibility and Guardiola leaving City
“The failure to qualify for the World Cup was a big blow,” Donnarumma admitted (via TMW).
“Having this wound will do us well in the future. We have to start again with this pain and we will fight back in a strong way.
“I didn’t train for two or three days after missing out on the World Cup because it was such a big blow. The world came crashing down after that last penalty, it was an incredible blow, more so than the other times.
“I thought we’d created something magical thanks to coach Gattuso, the President (Gabriele Gravina) and Gigi (Buffon). What hurts the most is what’s happened to them. I’d never seen a group so eager to get Italy back into the World Cup.”
Baldini confirmed that Donnarumma was the ‘only’ member of the regular Italy national team squad to call him up and give his availability for these international friendlies.
“As the captain, I felt compelled to call the coach and give my availability. He was the one who decided, though. I would like to add that all of my teammates would have gladly come, because they want to start again and bring Italy back to where it deserves to be.
“I’m here to help and make it clear that the Azzurri shirt is too important to turn down. I’ll try to bring experience even though I’m still quite young too. These guys have a great future ahead of them and will be able to lend us a big hand.
“They impressed me in all aspects during the first training session yesterday. I also met with the coach, a man of great values.”
Baldini also hinted on Friday that Donnarumma and Pio Esposito could be included in Italy’s Olympic squad in the event that they qualify for the tournament at LA 2028.
“We hope to get to the Olympics. I would do anything for the national team and if the coach thought it appropriate to call me in as captain, I’d be pleased,” Donnarumma confirmed.
Lastly, Donnarumma spoke about his relationship with departing Man City coach Pep Guardiola, but says that he hasn’t tried to convince him to take over the Italy national team job.
“I had a great time with the coach, he made history at City and I’d hoped he would continue. But his desire was to stop. I haven’t talked to him about the possibility of coaching Italy, those choices aren’t up to me, but the new President.
“Surely whoever comes in will have to give everything for the Azzurri shirt and to achieve our goals.”
ByPeter Young
Peter Young is a Senior Reporter with Football Italia.
