The paradox is most often a set of at least two affirmations which involve a conflictual tension between them, especially when they obviously seem true. A definition sticky perfectly with the trajectory experienced by Mike Maignan during this 2024-2025 season. Far from expectations and its usual standards on the side of AC Milan, Magic Mike is, in fact, widely criticized by the Italian press in recent weeks. The reason? The poor performances of the former LOSC porter.
An extension questioned
Culpable from several blunders, notably on the European scene, and more generally of questionable services, the native of Cayenne struggles to find his level of yesteryear, the one who had quickly made him a world reference when he arrived in 2021 to replace Gianluigi Donnarumma. In the hard time, the right -hander of 1m91 is even under pressure at the time when the management of the Rossoneri has still not ratified the extension of the tricolor international (28 selections), whose current contract expires in June 2026.
Recently, La Gazzetta dello Sport indicated, as such, that the goalkeeper trained at PSG would quickly have to react and get out of convincing services by the end of the season to hope for an extension – announced as activated a few months ago – and thus deserve the salary increase associated with his new lease. Author of 41 matches in all competitions since the recovery (47 goals conceded, 11 clean-Sheets), the 29-year-old was therefore logically awaiting this international truce to make a youthful cure in selection. And for good reason. If the Milanese sees his popularity rating drop in the Italian boot, his performance with the Blues remains intact.
Indisputable leader in blue
Thursday evening, during the French rout (0-2) at the Stadion Poljud of Split, number 16 has also proven that there was an undisputed and indisputable leader of the collective led by Didier Deschamps. On the occasion of the quarter -first leg of the League of Nations in Croatia, the last three -color bulwark held its rank despite the sinking of the Blues. Abandoned by his defense on the two goals conceded, Maignan will have had the merit of avoiding a larger disappointment by pushing the penalty of Andrej Kramarić. If he first delayed in the face of lasers disturbing his preparation, he finally defeated the Croatian striker in the 8th minute of play.
An exercise where the principal concerned also shines particularly since it has managed to stop three of the last six penalties conceded. Credited by a 6 by the FM editorial staff, the one who is considered by many observers as one of the main executives of this French team therefore continues to perform far from their club. Leader of the cloakroom and decisive repeatedly on the green rectangle, Maignan will now have to find the recipe to transpose his performance into blue in the jersey of AC Milan. In the meantime, the 2018 world champions will once again bet on Magic Mike to try to overthrow Croatia, at the Stade de France, and thus create the feat.
