Gianluigi Donnarumma stands by his decision to leave Milan for Paris Saint-Germain despite having to share goalkeeping duties with Keylor Navas since arriving in France.
Italy s Euro 2020 hero Donnarumma has only made 10 league starts since joining PSG on a free transfer last year, while Costa Rican competitor Keylor Navas has appeared between the sticks in 13 of the side s Ligue 1 outings.
Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Donnarumma, who made 215 Serie A appearances at Milan after coming through the Rossoneri s youth ranks, thanked his former club for their role in his development, but stressed that he was happy with life at PSG.
I can only thank the club for what they did for me , the 22-year-old said. I improved as a man and as a footballer in Milan.
I think PSG was in my destiny.
They had been following me for many years and have always made sure I knew about their interest. Everyone at the club makes me feel important, from President Al-Khelaifi to director Leonardo. I am happy and proud to be here.
When asked about his competition with Navas, Donnarumma responded: I knew that this was the situation when I signed with PSG.
I don t know what he [Navas] thinks, but I am okay with it because everyone here always makes me feel important.
It s not true that we are not on good terms, there is an excellent rapport between us, he is a good guy and there are no problems.
Gianluigi Donnarumma is your winner!
— Ballon d Or #ballondor (@francefootball)
Donnarumma s San Siro departure generated a swathe of ill-feeling amongst the Rossoneri faithful, and he was roundly booed by Italian fans when returning to the stadium for a UEFA Nations League semi-final with the national team last October.
But Donnarumma, who starred in his country s first major tournament win since 2006 as Italy triumphed at Euro 2020, claimed to hold no ill-feeling towards Milan, and revealed that he was in regular contact with boss Stefano Pioli and his former team-mates.
As a fan, I always follow every game with passion. I often talk to my ex-team-mates, but also [to] Pioli, and I am happy with how things are going for them, he said.
I hope they’ll go all the way [in Serie A s title race]. I am happy for Milan and their fans that they won the derby [a 2-1 triumph over Inter last week].
Donnarumma has kept four Ligue 1 clean sheets so far this season, contributing to PSG boasting the joint-strongest defensive record in the French top flight. Meanwhile, his Milan replacement Mike Maignan has managed seven shutouts in 18 Serie A starts.
