Gianluigi Donnarumma says he “cried because of the enormous sadness” of not being able to lead Italy to the 2026 World Cup this summer, following their penalty shootout defeat by Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Italy have now failed to qualify for three successive World Cups, drawing 1-1 on Tuesday before losing their play-off final 4-1 on penalties, having lost Alessandro Bastoni to a first-half red card.
Goalkeeper Donnarumma, 27, made numerous saves in the second half but during the shootout appeared to get into an argument with Bosnia goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj, with reports claiming the Italian captain damaged Vasilj’s penalty-takers cheat sheet.
He also had to be held back by his team-mates at full-time after trying to confront the celebrating Bosnia players.
“Last night, after the match, I cried. I cried because of the disappointment of not being able to lead Italy where it deserves to be,” Donnarumma wrote on Instagram.
“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 added.
The Manchester City keeper, who was handed his senior debut in 2016 aged 17, is yet to play at a World Cup and will have to wait until he is at least 31 for his next opportunity.
He was 15 when Italy lost against Uruguay and exited the 2014 World Cup in the group stage.
He wrote it would take “a lot of strength, passion, and conviction” to restore his country “back where it deserves to be”.
Credit: bbc.com
