Donnarumma wants to take Italy back to where 'they deserve to be'

Gianluigi Donnarumma has delivered an emotional message in the wake of Italy’s latest World Cup failure, insisting he is determined to “take Italy back to where they deserve to be.” The 27‑year‑old captain admitted he cried after Tuesday’s penalty‑shootout defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina, reflecting on the weight of another missed tournament. Donnarumma expressed deep disappointment at being unable to guide the Azzurri to the 2026 finals, while praising the commitment of his teammates and stressing the need for resilience, passion and conviction to rebuild.

Despite several key saves in Zenica, the goalkeeper’s mis‑hit clearance contributed to Alessandro Bastoni’s red card, a decisive moment in the match, and he failed to stop any of Bosnia’s four penalties. A European champion in 2021, Donnarumma has still never appeared at a World Cup, having also been involved in Italy’s unsuccessful playoff campaigns in 2018 and 2022. He urged unity as the starting point for Italy’s revival.