Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham will meet at Italy’s Bluenergy Stadium to crown the first European champion of the season. The Champions League winners face the Europa League holders in the UEFA Super Cup — but PSG will be without star goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
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.
Gianluigi Donnarumma won the Champions League with PSG when they beat Inter Milan 5-0. (Carl Recine/Getty Images)
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.
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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.
