Gianluigi Donnarumma has said he “cried because of enormous sadness” after Italy were beaten by Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday — extending the Manchester City goalkeeper’s extraordinary wait for his first World Cup appearance.
Donnarumma made his senior debut for Italy in 2016 at the age of 17, but Italy — four-time winners — have now failed to make the last three World Cups, with a penalty defeat in Sarajevo their latest heartbreak.
Donnarumma, who was 15 when Italy lost against Uruguay and exited the 2014 World Cup group stage, will be 31 by the time of the 2030 World Cup in Morocco, Portugal and Spain.
He said how much the UEFA playoff final defeat hurt him in an emotional Instagram post on Wednesday.
“After the match, I cried. I cried because of the disappointment of not being able to lead Italy where it deserves to be,” the former Paris-Saint Germain and AC Milan goalkeeper wrote.
“I cried because of the enormous sadness I’m feeling, along with the entire Azzurri team, of which I’m proud to be captain, and I know you, fans of our national team, are feeling it too.”
Donnarumma is one of the world’s best shot-stoppers, but failed to save any of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s penalties on Tuesday while Italy’s Pio Esposito and Bryan Cristante missed theirs.
The defeat to a 66th-ranked Bosnia and Herzegovina side was branded a “third apocalypse” by national newspapers, but Donnarumma has called on his teammates to bounce back.
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“We must find the courage to turn the page, once again,” he added. “And to do so requires a lot of strength, passion, and conviction.
“Always believe; this is the driving force behind moving forward. Because life rewards those who give their all, without holding back. And this is where we must start again. Together. Once again. To bring Italy back where it deserves to be.”
