Italy's national goalkeeper: Gianluigi Donnarumma © APA/afp / GABRIEL BOUYS

“Mobbing”: Donnarumma drama at PSG continues

Champions League winner Paris Saint-Germain cannot shake off its great goalkeeping drama even after winning the European Super Cup.

August 14, 2025

From: dpa

New number one Lucas Chevalier first made a name for himself in the final victory against Tottenham Hotspur with a serious blunder in regular time – and then pulled off a save in the decisive penalty shootout (4-3 for Paris). The agent of his predecessor, Gianluca Donnarumma, took a swipe at PSG's management that evening: Enzo Raiola criticized the demotion of the world-class Italian goalkeeper in several interviews.

“We are talking about bullying,” Raiola said at Sports Radio"He's not the one who wants to leave, quite the opposite. They've decided that Donnarumma will no longer be part of PSG." This situation has had "significant repercussions for his sporting performance and his image." He can only explain why the French champions' long-time goalkeeper wasn't even allowed to sit on the bench for the Super Cup final, but was completely dropped from the squad: "They were afraid of putting Chevalier in competition with Donnarumma. That's all I can think of," Raiola said.

Lucas Chevalier won the Supercup with PSG. © APA/afp / MARCO BERTORELLO

Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique decided this summer to sign a new number one and establish a different style of goalkeeping at PSG with Chevalier. The 23-year-old joined from Lille OSC and is considered a more cost-effective and more proficient alternative to Donnarumma. However, Chevalier also has significantly fewer successes and experience than the goalkeeper of Italy's 2021 European champions.

Donnarumma before England move

There are certainly plenty of interested parties for Donnarumma. Manchester City, in particular, is being touted as a potential new club. "In my opinion, the Premier League is the right step for Gigio now. We're working on it," Raiola told Italian transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano.

Luis Enrique also knows that Donnarumma's shadow in Paris could pose a problem for his new goalkeeper. Despite the blunder against Tottenham, the coach demonstratively stood up for Chevalier after the match. He hugged him effusively on the pitch. At the press conference, the Spanish coach said: "Lucas Chevalier was incredible. I'm happy for him."