In Paris, the parting of ways between a coach and his goalkeeper is rarely loud. But the silence can speak volumes.
When Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique announced that Gianluigi Donnarumma would not feature in Wednesday’s UEFA Super Cup against Tottenham, it was framed as a tactical choice – the search for a “different profile” in goal. Yet, inside the club, whispers suggest the decision has been months in the making.
Since PSG lifted their first Champions League trophy in May – with Donnarumma starring in a 5-0 demolition of Inter Milan — the relationship between the Spaniard and his Italian No. 1 has cooled. There were no public clashes, no sharp words caught on camera, but the distance has been felt.
“These are always difficult decisions,” Enrique said on Tuesday in Udine, speaking with deliberate calm. “I can only speak highly of Donnarumma… but we were looking for a different type of goalkeeper. My goal is to improve the team.”
To some, the praise sounded polite, almost rehearsed. The coach had already brought in Lucas Chevalier from Lille, a signal of change that needed no further explanation.
For Donnarumma, 26, the omission was a personal blow. “From the first day I arrived, I gave everything — on and off the pitch – to defend the goal of Paris Saint-Germain,” he wrote on Instagram. “Unfortunately, someone has decided that I can no longer be part of the group. I am disappointed and disheartened.”
He has every reason to feel that way. Since arriving from AC Milan in 2021, Donnarumma has made 161 appearances, collected seven major trophies, and was key to Italy’s Euro 2020 triumph. He has also been a regular starter, even through PSG’s turbulent spells.
Yet Enrique’s football vision demands more than numbers. Those close to the squad describe a coach meticulous in details, favouring goalkeepers who play higher, move faster with the ball at their feet, and act as an extra defender. Donnarumma’s towering presence and traditional style, while effective, do not always fit that mould.
PSG captain Marquinhos, a veteran of the club’s constant rebuilds, acknowledged the human cost. “It’s always difficult,” he said. “I’ve seen this happen to other important players… our life is like that. All we can do is give our all until the last minute.”
The Ligue 1 champions open their season against Nantes on Sunday, with Chevalier expected to start. Donnarumma’s next destination remains uncertain, though interest from Manchester United and Chelsea is reportedly strong.
In Paris, the official line remains professional. But behind the politeness, a truth is hard to ignore — sometimes, the most telling rifts are the ones no one talks about.
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