Why Donnarumma Doesn’t Deserve The Hate

Fake money was thrown at Donnarumma during the U21 European Championships, just one of several instances of abuse the player has received. Image: Getty

Gianluigi Donnarumma has been subjected to some criticism as of late, to say the least. From death threats to vulgar banners, the keeper’s decision to not renew with Milan has not come without fallout. Here’s why the 18 year old doesn’t deserve this.

Blame the Agent, Not the Player

Donnarumma’s agent Mino Raiola isn’t exactly known for his compassion. In fact, he might just be the most hated man in all of football. Raiola is known for a being an exceptionally greedy agent, managing clients like Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The man sleeps, eats, and breathes money, and we saw that last year as the Italian pocketed a tidy €38 million from Pogba’s transfer to Manchester United.

We all know that Raiola’s clients tend to move around quite a bit — just look at Ibra and Balotelli. Donnarumma did have the final say in the decision, but Milan fans can’t simply expect a kid, albeit a pretty tall one, to make the most important decision of his life and fire his agent. If you want someone to blame, blame Raiola, not Gigio.

He’s Young, Give Him Time

While Donnarumma may be mature between the sticks, he’s still 18. Kids shouldn’t be expected to make the best decision every single time, and they shouldn’t be subject to humiliation and criticism when they do. Gigio is an incredible goalkeeper, one of the best in the world, but that doesn’t mean he’s an adult yet. This kind of punishment for a decision that is completely logical and understandable is way too harsh on anyone, especially an 18 year old who isn’t quite sure what to do with all this money that surrounds him.

Donnarumma may not be a kid, but he’s not an adult either. Milan fans should respect him and his decision and recognize all the great things he’s done for the Rossoneri, not launch protests and threats against the keeper.

Who Can Blame Him?

I mean, what’s wrong with his decision? It may upset Milan fans, but it’s completely rational. Donnarumma would make more money at Real Madrid or PSG, and he’d have a chance to win on the largest scale. At the same time, he has to realize that he will not get the same support as he does in Milan. His mistakes will not be ignored so easily. His starting spot is not guaranteed.

More money and a better chance at winning on the world’s biggest stage is enticing for anyone, especially for a kid who found himself catapulted into the discussion for the best youngster in the world. Not everyone wants to become a club legend like Totti and Maldini. Not everyone can stick with a club through the highs and the lows. There’s nothing wrong with what he did, and while Milan fans aren’t happy with the decision, they can’t say for certain that they wouldn’t have done the exact same thing.

Donnarumma doesn’t deserve this. He’s done so many great things for Milan. He was rated the best goalkeeper in all of Europe by WhoScored this season. Many can argue that he won several games for Milan, including the Supercoppa Italiana. If Donnarumma wants to leave, then let him leave, and let him do it in peace.