Monday evening at the Châtelet Theater, Gianluigi Donnarumma once again caused a sensation during the Golden Ball 2025 ceremony. Arrived around 8:30 p.m., alongside his wife Alessia and his son Leo in her arms, the Italian goalkeeper was welcomed by an almost unprecedented clamor for a Manchester City player. Even Erling Haaland or Rodri, during his coronation last year, had not aroused so much enthusiasm. “Return here is a great pleasure for me. For four years, it was my house and I am really happy with this welcome. I gave everything here, I gave everything for Paris, and I really have to thank the supporters, because they really gave it to me ”said Donnarumma on the set of The team.
Sitting in the front row, Donnarumma was surrounded by emblematic figures and his colleagues: Alisson, first winner of the Yachine Trophy in 2019, right next to it, and Yann Sommer, the goalkeeper of Inter Milan, in front of him. Rewarded for the second time in his career after 2021, he was applauded for his decisive role in the triumph of PSG in the Champions League. Each judgment, each spectacular parade was crucial, from the eighth titanic finals to Anfield against Liverpool to the double controlled confrontations against Arsenal, passing by Aston Villa. His career allowed PSG to win the C1 and to consolidate its place in the history of the club.
No bitterness against PSG
The evening offered a cruel wink of fate. While Donnarumma went to the ceremony, Lucas Chevalier conceded a missed outing at the Velodrome, precipitating the first defeat of PSG against OM for fourteen years at the Vélodrome. But Gigio did not think about it and remained focused on the ceremony. “Blood: bitterness?” I have nothing to digest, because I am in an extraordinary club ”he said, summarizing his philosophy and his legendary calm. On stage, the moment when Gigi Buffon, legend of the Nazional, put him a friendly tape on his head to give him his price, symbolized respect between generations and the emotion which reigned in the room. Despite its individual consecration, Donnarumma wanted to send a recognition message to PSG and its supporters.
In his words, he stressed the importance of shared memories and the relationship he has with the city and the club: “For four years, I gave everything for Paris. The supporters have always supported me and I really have to thank them. »» Between nostalgia, gratitude and humility, his declarations recall that, for him, the trophies are worth nothing without human ties and the history lived on and outside the field. A clear, elegant message filled with class for PSG and the French capital. With this second coronation and an exemplary course, Gianluigi Donnarumma confirms that he is one of the best guards in the world. Calm, elegant and respectful, he leaves behind his individual and collective successes, an image of complete champion, capable of inspiring as much on the field as by his class out of the field.
