Gianluigi Donnarumma is extremely happy at Paris Saint-Germain. The goalkeeper played a crucial role in reaching the Champions League final, though he believes that the true strength of the team lies in the lack of individual heroics like his own. If it’s up to the Italian, he plans to stay in the City of Light for a long time.
Paris Saint-Germain continue to shine on both domestic and European fronts, and their 2024/25 campaign is turning into one of the most memorable in club history.
Their latest achievement came in the form of a 2-1 aggregate victory over Arsenal in the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League a result that secured them a place in the final for only the second time ever. The French champions have not only overcome one of the toughest paths possible to get there, eliminating four English clubs in succession, but they’ve done so with a renewed sense of purpose, identity, and collective strength that few expected following the departure of Kylian Mbappé last summer.
When Mbappé left the Parc des Princes, many predicted a sharp decline for PSG. For years, the French superstar had been the face of the club, the go-to player in decisive moments, and a guaranteed source of goals. Without him, critics doubted PSG’s ability to challenge for top honours. But this season, the team has answered those doubts with authority. They not only coasted to another Ligue 1 title with games to spare displaying total dominance in the domestic league but also emerged as a cohesive and fearless unit in Europe. There were no dramatic comebacks, no individual heroics overshadowing the group just consistent, balanced performances from a squad that is clearly playing for one another.
At the heart of this new-look PSG is Gianluigi Donnarumma, the 25-year-old Italian goalkeeper who has grown into a true leader in the absence of headline-grabbing stars. His performances throughout the Champions League campaign have been immense, but it was in the semi-finals against Arsenal where he truly reminded the world of his calibre. In the first leg at the Emirates, he made a string of key saves to preserve a crucial 1-1 draw. Back in Paris, he was even more influential, commanding his box with authority and denying the Gunners with several outstanding stops as PSG edged a tense second leg 1-0 to progress.
“It’s been a special season,” Donnarumma said following the win. “The atmosphere in the group is different. Everyone works for the team now, we’re more united, more committed. There’s no one trying to be the hero. We win and lose together. And that’s what has made the difference.”
For Donnarumma, this environment brings back memories of Italy’s Euro 2020 triumph, where teamwork and collective discipline carried the Azzurri to glory. He sees a similar energy and togetherness now at PSG, and it's one of the reasons he’s not looking to leave anytime soon. Despite widespread reports linking him with a move to several European giants including Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Manchester City, and even Serie A rivals Internazionale the goalkeeper made it clear that his heart remains in Paris.
“I’m happy here,” he said plainly. “I still have a year left on my contract, and if the club wants me to stay, I’ll stay. All that’s missing is the signature. But it’s up to the club. I’m ready.”
The speculation about his future hasn’t distracted him, but it hasn’t gone unnoticed either. Some rumors have even suggested a sensational move to Inter Milan, the fierce rivals of AC Milan Donnarumma’s boyhood club where he rose to prominence. Such a move would undoubtedly spark controversy, but the Italian was quick to brush off the idea with a touch of humour. “Those rumours belong in the poubelle,” he said, using the French word for trash bin. It was a clear message to both the media and any suitors: Donnarumma is not for sale not now, and not when PSG are on the verge of something historic.
That “something” is, of course, a long-awaited Champions League title. Despite years of investment, high-profile signings, and domestic dominance, PSG have never managed to conquer Europe. Their best effort came in 2020, when they reached the final but were beaten by Bayern Munich. Since then, the club has undergone transformations in management, squad composition, and sporting philosophy. This season, rather than relying on star power, PSG have embraced a team-first approach and it’s working.
Their route to the final has not been easy. In fact, it may be one of the most challenging ever navigated by a finalist. After progressing through a difficult group stage, they faced and defeated four English teams in succession showing tactical maturity, defensive resilience, and emotional composure throughout. Each test, including the battle against Arsenal, only seemed to solidify their identity as a team that can thrive without a global poster boy leading the line.
Now, with the final just around the corner, PSG stand on the brink of rewriting their history. A victory would not only silence their critics once and for all but also validate their bold post-Mbappé rebuild. And for Gianluigi Donnarumma, who has been instrumental in this transformation, lifting the Champions League trophy in Paris colours would mark a defining moment in a career that already includes a European Championship and the Yashin Trophy.
Whether he remains in Paris beyond next season or not, Donnarumma has already etched his name into the club’s history books. But if he and his teammates can win on May 31st, he will become immortal in the eyes of the PSG faithful and perhaps even usher in a new era where the club is no longer defined by individual stars, but by its collective might.
