Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma has issued a response after facing criticism for his role in Jamal Musiala's horror injury.
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Donnarumma speaks out on MusialaNeuer criticised the PSG goalkeeperItalian says injury was not intentionalFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Donnarumma collided with the Bayern Munich star during their Club World Cup quarter-final, with Musiala needing to be stretchered off. He was diagnosed with a fractured left fibula and a broken and dislocated ankle and will be ruled out for several months. In an interview with , Donnarumma expressed regret, stating: “I’m very shocked by what happened, I really didn’t intend to hurt Musiala.”
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The collision triggered criticism from Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who questioned Donnarumma’s post-match conduct. Donnarumma appeared visibly shaken after the collision and his agent, Vincenzo Raiola, explained that the goalkeeper asked if he should visit him in hospital, but decided to send a message instead.
WHAT RAIOLA SAID
The agent said: "He didn’t want to pretend nothing had happened. Gigio is a very sensitive boy. He wouldn’t have been able to stand the scene and preferred to walk away to let the doctors take care of Musiala as best he could. Once in the locker room he even turned on his phone. In all the years we’ve worked together he’s never done that. Usually he turns it off an hour before kick-off to concentrate on the match and turns it back on after the game. This time he sent me a message to tell me he was shaken and that he hadn’t done it on purpose. He was very worried and saddened.
"In reality, I understand Neuer. As [Thibaut] Courtois says, it's normal for him to defend his team-mate. And he's also right when he says that you can behave differently. It's true but we are all different and everyone behaves as they can. It was an episode of play in the eternal duel between goalkeepers and forwards. In December, Gigio almost lost an eye in a clash with a Monaco player. And Neuer also punched Gonzalo Higuain in 2014, in a match between national teams. Then he apologised even if he admitted that he wanted to avert a danger for his team, knowing that he risked hurting the opponent."
Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR PSG & BAYERN?
Donnarumma is expected to remain PSG’s first-choice goalkeeper for their Club World Cup semi-final against Real Madrid. Bayern must adjust their midfield setup without Musiala, potentially accelerating transfer plans or giving extended minutes to Konrad Laimer or Aleksandar Pavlovic. Musiala has undergone surgery and will begin a long rehabilitation process.
