“Last night, after the match, I cried… Today, words serve little purpose, it’s true. But there is one thing I feel deeply and that I want to share with you: after such a great disappointment, we must find the courage to turn the page, once again. And for that, it takes a lot of strength, passion, and conviction. Always believing in it is the driving force to move forward…” Donnarumma wrote.

With this latest failure, Italy has set a grim record, missing the 2018, 2022, and 2026 editions. They are now the first former World Cup-winning nation in history to fail to qualify for three consecutive tournaments.

Fabio Capello blames Italian Football Federation

Legendary former manager Fabio Capello did not mince words when discussing the state of the national team. In a recent interview with MARCA, the former England and Real Madrid boss labeled the situation a sporting tragedy.

“We are talking about a four-time world champion; this is a sporting tragedy, a disgrace. It is the worst thing to happen to Italian soccer in recent history,” Capello stated.

While fans have criticized Gattuso and the players, Capello pointed the finger at the top. “No one resigns here, and that is what’s most worrying. The first person who should take responsibility is the federation president, along with the entire board of directors,” he asserted, calling for an urgent structural overhaul.

When was Italy’s last World Cup appearance?

After being crowned champions of the 2006 World Cup in Germany by defeating France on penalties, Italy made only two more appearances on the world stage: South Africa 2010 and Brazil 2014, which remains their last participation to date.

However, those tournaments marked the beginning of a collapse for a national team that has lifted the trophy four times in its history. In 2010, as the defending champions, Italy put in a poor performance and were eliminated in the group stage. They repeated the same outcome in 2014, recording a single victory over England followed by two losses against Uruguay and Costa Rica.

Earlier in the season, Pep Guardiola decided the Carabao Cup would be James Trafford’s opportunity to get playing time, and the coach is now keeping him in the lineup for the final against Arsenal, which you can follow live with us.

The same reason Donnarumma isn’t starting today applies to Raya, as Mikel Arteta is keeping Kepa Arrizabalaga between the posts as the Spaniard started in all EFL Cup games for Arsenal this season.

“He fully deserves it. He’s been phenomenal when he’s played. He’s played the whole competition and we fully trust him,” Arteta said of Kepa ahead of the EFL Cup final.

James Trafford’s contribution to Man City’s EFL Cup run

While Donnarumma has been the starter for Manchester City in Premier League and Champions League matches this season, Trafford has been the Citizens‘ keeper in this campaign’s EFL Cup.

Trafford kept a clean sheet in the third round 2-0 win over Huddersfield before starting in the 3-1 victory over Swansea in the fourth round, eventually helping his side beat Brentford 2-0 in the quarterfinals.

The semifinals saw Trafford record another shutout for a 2-0 first leg win over Newcastle, and even though he conceded one goal in the return leg, Manchester City got the job done with a 3-1 victory for a 5-1 aggregate difference. Now, Trafford is being rewarded with a start at Wembley.

Kepa’s influence in Arsenal’s road to Wembley

Kepa has also been instrumental in Arsenal’s road to Wembley this season. The former Chelsea goalkeeper started in the third and fourth round 2-0 wins over Port Vale and Brighton, respectively, but his most notable contribution came in the quarterfinals.

When it looked like Maxence Lacroix’s own goal after 80′ would see Arsenal through, a last-gasp equalizer by Marc Guehi forced extra time against Crystal Palace at Emirates Stadium. The game went to penalties, and a dramatic shootout saw Kepa step up with a clutch save against Lacroix for an 8-7 shootout win and a place in the semifinals.

Kepa then started in the series against his former team, which saw Arsenal beat Chelsea 3-2 in the first leg before a 1-0 win at home punched their ticket to Wembley.

Both Kepa and Trafford earned the chance to start in the big game today, with Donnarumma and Raya supporting on the bench, while being ready to come on if needed as there’s a big prize at stake at the 2026 EFL Cup final.

It looks like the scoring fun belongs entirely to Federico Valverde. After being fouled by Donnarumma inside the penalty box, Vinicius had an unbeatable chance to put his name in the score sheet. However, his attempt was too weak and not high enough to beat the Italian goalkeeper. As a result, Real Madrid remained up 3-0 over Man. City in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League‘s round of 16.

Right now, it seems like the two-legged duel is already decided. But much can change. Perhaps, “La Casa Blanca” will come back to lament Vini’s crucial miss. If Manchester City can mount a comeback—tonight or next week at their home—fans in Madrid will surely look back to this penalty miss as a huge turning point.

Vinicius Jr. apologizes for missed penalty shot

As soon as he made contact with the football, Vini realized his shot wasn’t going to make it past Donnarumma. The Citizens’ goalkeeper correctly guessed Vinicius’ intentions, and his massive 6’5″ (1.96m) frame allowed him to reach his left post in time.

After the miss in the 58th minute, Vinicius immediately apologized to the fans in the stands at the Santiago Bernabeu. The Brazilian star raised his left hand while resting his right hand over his heart in a universal, unspoken gesture of asking for forgiveness.

Vinicius missed his second penalty in Champions League

According to soccer statistician Mister Chip (@2010MisterChip on X), Vinícius Júnior missed his second penalty in the UEFA Champions League during the March 11, 2026, clash against Manchester City.

With this miss, Vini has now tied Cristiano Ronaldo’s mark of two missed penalties for Real Madrid in Europe’s most prestigious competition. However, the Brazilian has scored 2 of 4 attempts (50% success rate), whereas the Portuguese icon netted 14 of 16 penalty shots (87.5% scoring rate) for Real Madrid in the Champions League.

The Manchester City goalkeeper will be replaced by Guglielmo Vicario against Moldova, as Gattuso opted for a roster rotation to grant playing time to players who have seen less action during the qualifying campaign.

The decision to rotate the squad is driven by the fact that following Norway’s 4-1 victory over Estonia, Erling Haaland and his teammates are virtually assured of direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup. The Norwegian side has won all seven matches it has played so far, putting it first in the group with 21 points—six ahead of Italy, who trail with 15 points.

Although Italy still have two matches remaining, including a final confrontation with the group leaders (Norway), the Norwegians possess a crushing goal differential of +29, compared to Italy’s +10. This disparity effectively ensures Haaland and his teammates will secure the direct ticket to the World Cup.

Italy’s confirmed starting lineup

As mentioned, manager Gattuso has implemented several rotations ahead of this match. Nicolo Barella will be unavailable as he must serve a one-match suspension. However, players such as Riccardo Orsolini, Mattia Zaccagni, and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario will all receive a chance to start.

Italy’s confirmed starting XI: Guglielmo Vicario; Raoul Bellanova, Gianluca Mancini, Alessandro Buongiorno, Andrea Cambiaso; Bryan Cristante, Sandro Tonali; Ricardo Orsolini, Gianluca Scamacca, Giacomo Raspadori, Mattia Zaccagni.

During the ceremony, Gianluigi Donnarumma was crowned the best goalkeeper of the season after his impressive performance with PSG. However, the official Ballon d’Or account announced Emiliano Martinez as the winner in its post on X, formerly Twitter, placing the Italian in fourth place and making an unusual mistake.

Although Emiliano Martinez stands among the all-time greats with multiple Yachine Trophy wins, his recent season fell short of expectations. Aston Villa secured a sixth-place finish in the Premier League, a position some saw as a setback leading to Europa League. He even faced scrutiny for key mistakes, which fueled rumors of his departure. Ultimately, those speculations proved to be false as he continues to be a vital part of the club.

Gianluigi Donnarumma, unlike Emiliano, quickly dispelled any doubts about his standing in world soccer. As a pivotal force for PSG, the Italian goalkeeper made decisive impacts during crucial Champions League moments. While questions lingered about his ball-footing skills, he consistently showcased his importance, expertly commanding his team from the back and solidifying his role between the posts.

Who are all the winners of the Yachine Trophy in soccer history?

Since its inception in 2019, the Yachine Trophy, named after legendary goalkeeper Lev Yashin, has emerged as a prestigious accolade in international soccer. Created by France Football magazine to honor the year’s best goalkeeper, it fills a void not addressed by the longer-established Ballon d’Or, founded in 1956. Despite its brief history, the Yachine Trophy has already seen four elite players claim this coveted recognition, highlighting its growing significance in the sport.

After being crowned the winner of the 2025 Yachine Trophy, Gianluigi Donnarumma becomes the trophy’s most successful winner, at just 26 years of age, alongside Emiliano Martinez. With this achievement, the Italian goalkeeper has written his name in soccer history as one of the most influential players. Now, with his arrival at Manchester City, he could add to his already historic legacy.

After the 26-year-old declined to renew his contract, which runs through 2026, PSG head coach Luis Enrique confirmed that Donnarumma would not be part of the squad for the final — or moving forward.

“I am 100% responsible for this difficult decision. If it were easy, anyone could do it. These decisions are about the profile of the goalkeeper my team needs,” Luis Enrique told reporters on the press conference prior to the game.

Donnarumma’s camp, however, suggested the absence stems from internal club matters. “If there was talk of a renewal, it meant Gianluigi was part of PSG’s future plans. I don’t think the coach could have changed his mind in just a month,” his agent Enzo Raiola told Sky Sport.

The goalkeeper himself addressed the situation in a heartfelt social media post. “Unfortunately, someone has decided I can no longer be part of the group or contribute to the team’s success. I am disappointed and heartbroken. I hope to have the chance to look the fans at the Parc des Princes in the eyes one last time and say goodbye the right way,” the former AC Milan goalkeeper wrote.

Who will replace Donnarumma in goal?

Luis Enrique has two strong options to fill the starting role left vacant by Donnarumma, who had been PSG’s undisputed No. 1. One is Matvei Safonov, the Russian goalkeeper who served as the backup during Donnarumma’s tenure. Safonov has made 17 appearances for PSG and has been named to the squad for the clash against Tottenham.

The other candidate is Lucas Chevalier, a recent $47 million signing from Lille. The 23-year-old Frenchman is highly regarded by Luis Enrique for his skill with the ball at his feet — a trait that fits perfectly with the manager’s tactical approach.

However, the manager has ultimately opted for Chevalier, the recent signing, to make his PSG debut today against Tottenham, marking the 23-year-old goalkeeper’s first career appearance in a final.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Gianluigi Donnarumma has not reached an agreement to renew his contract with Paris Saint-Germain. With only one year left on his contract, the team has decided to transfer him this summer, leading to his immediate exclusion from the sports project, which is why he was also left out of the game against Tottenham.

With his departure from the 2025 Champions League winner team nearly confirmed, Fabrizio Romano reports that Gianluigi Donnarumma’s future appears to be in the Premier League. Manchester United, according to TEAMtalk, are firmly set on securing the Italian goalkeeper. His extensive international experience could provide the ideal solution for the English side, which is currently in need of a world-class goalkeeper.

Who will replace Gianluigi Donnarumma at PSG after his looming departure?

Instead of becoming entangled in the complexities of Donnarumma’s contract renewal, PSG took a decisive step by signing the Italian’s replacement before finalizing his departure. As a result, they acquired promising French goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier from Lille for $47 million, with an additional $17 million in bonuses, according to ESPN.

Though the 23-year-old does not possess Gianluigi’s extensive experience, he has emerged as one of the best goalkeepers in the French league. Unlike the Italian, Lucas is distinguished by his impressive footwork, a crucial skill for Luis Enrique’s strategy. Due to his capabilities and confidence between the posts, Chevalier is seen as the future goalkeeper of the French national team.

Would Gianluigi Donnarumma joining Manchester United be the ideal solution?

Since David De Gea’s departure from Manchester United, the English team has struggled to find a world-class goalkeeper. Although it has Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir, neither has managed to live up to expectations. With this in mind, the arrival of Gianluigi Donnarumma could be the best option for the English team.

Under head coach Ruben Amorim’s system, Gianluigi could become a key player. While his footwork caused quite a few problems, his confidence between the posts would be a game-changer in strengthening the English team’s three-man central defense. However, his arrival has not yet been finalized, as Chelsea have also shown interest in signing him, according to reports.

Despite Donnarumma insisting to teammates and Bayern Munich players that he had no intention of injuring the 22-year-old midfielder, Bayern’s sporting director Max Eberl did not hold back in his post-match comments, calling out the Italian keeper for recklessness.

“If I jump on someone’s leg while they’re running, and I weigh 100 kilos, there’s a high risk that something will happen,” Eberl said bluntly during a press conference following Bayern’s defeat.

While Eberl made it clear he didn’t believe Donnarumma had malicious intent, he still placed the blame on the PSG goalkeeper: “I don’t think he did it intentionally, but he certainly didn’t take any precautions”.

Manuel Neuer also criticizes Donnarumma’s actions

Veteran Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer also addressed the incident, echoing Eberl’s concerns and questioning Donnarumma’s decision-making. “It’s a situation where you don’t need to go in like that. It’s risky. He’s willing to accept the risk of injuring his opponent,” Neuer said.

“I approached him and told him, ‘Don’t you want to go check on our player?’ It’s just about respect—go over and wish him well. And he did. Justice is always part of the game. I would’ve reacted differently,” he added.

Musiala faces extended spell on the sidelines

“Musiala had to be taken off the field due to injury. We’re with you, Jamal!” read a message posted by Bayern Munich shortly after the incident. While official medical results are still pending, early reports suggest the Germany international may have suffered a fractured tibia and fibula—an injury that would sideline him for months and deal a major blow to both club and country.

In a brief but heartfelt message on his official Instagram account, the Italian national team player shared a strong message of support for his fellow player—making it clear that the collision was unintentional and the result of a chance play during the match.

“All my prayers and well wishes are with you @jamalmusiala10,” Donnarumma posted via @donnarumma, accompanying it with a praying hands emoji.

After the unfortunate play that left the Luis Enrique-led team’s GK visibly saddened, his teammates supported him not only emotionally but also on the field, managing to push through and secure a spot among the tournament’s final four.

What happened to Musiala?

The day couldn’t have ended worse for Bayern Munich—not only due to their elimination at the hands of PSG in the quarterfinals but also because of the visibly serious injury suffered by one of their key players, Jamal Musiala.

In a completely accidental incident during the game, the German player collided with goalkeeper Donnarumma, and after falling to the ground, a harsh image showed one of his ankles severely affected.

Although there is still no definitive prognosis, based on the televised images, the injury appears to be serious, and the player could potentially be sidelined for a long time.

The reason Bayern Munich supporters are jeering the PSG keeper is due to a recent incident in which Donnarumma accidentally caused a serious ankle injury to Jamal Musiala.

Late in the first half, Musiala went in to challenge for the ball alongside PSG defender William Pacho inside the penalty area. As the play developed, Donnarumma came off his line in an attempt to clear the danger, but collided with the young German star, resulting in a serious injury that forced Musiala to leave the match.

Although the challenge was accidental and did not warrant disciplinary action, Bayern fans have made their feelings known in Atlanta, voicing their frustration each time Donnarumma is involved in the play.

Moments after the incident, players and staff on the field were visibly shaken by what had just happened. While there has been no official medical report yet, it seems that Musiala may have suffered a broken ankle — a devastating injury for any soccer player.

Worst-case scenario for Musiala

The 22-year-old midfielder is facing one of the toughest moments of his young career. Coming into the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, Musiala had just returned from a left hamstring tear suffered in April that sidelined him for the remainder of the season.

His return to the starting lineup against PSG marked his first start in three months. Unfortunately, it now appears he’ll be forced into yet another extended recovery period before he can return to the pitch.

Bayern Munich arrived at the quarterfinals of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 facing a tough challenge. The German side had to take on PSG, the current UEFA Champions League winners and favorites to lift the trophy in this tournament.

After a closely contested first 45 minutes, both squads were preparing to head to the locker rooms to regroup for the second half. However, things took a dramatic turn when Bayern Munich lost Jamal Musiala to a serious injury suffered on the final play of the first half.

Watch: Jamal Musiala collides with PSG’s Gianluigi Donnarumma and suffers severe ankle injury

Terrible news struck Bayern Munich during the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup quarterfinals. At the end of the first half against PSG, the German club lost star midfielder Jamal Musiala to a severe ankle injury following a collision with Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.

In the final action of the half, Musiala attempted to win the ball in PSG’s box. Defender William Pacho stepped in to cover him and gave a soft push, not noticing that Donnarumma was sliding in from behind to collect the ball.

The timing was disastrous. As Donnarumma slid in, Musiala’s ankle got trapped beneath the goalkeeper’s body, twisting awkwardly in a gruesome and difficult-to-watch moment.

While Bayern Munich has yet to provide an official medical update, early signs suggest Musiala may have suffered a broken ankle. He was immediately taken off the pitch, and the timeline for his recovery will be determined in the coming hours.