Star goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma has played alongside both Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland, who are two of the greatest players in world football.
Gianluigi Donnarumma has settled the debate between Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland, having played alongside both deadly attackers.
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Donnarumma made 105 appearances alongside Mbappé at Paris Saint-Germain after signing on a free transfer in 2021, and they won three Ligue 1 titles together before the Frenchman left the club for Real Madrid in 2024.
The Italian goalkeeper followed in Mbappé’s footsteps when he left PSG one season later, having won the Champions League as part of a historic treble. He signed for Manchester City in a transfer worth £26 million on the day of the transfer death.
After replacing club legend Ederson, who joined Turkish club Fenerbahçe, Donnarumma has yet to experience a defeat in the City shirt. He joined a team that had lost two of its first three league games.
He has had a phenomenal impact on keeping the ball out of the net, while the unstoppable Haaland has done the job in style at the other end of the pitch.
Haaland has 15 goals in 11 games this season and has scored in nine consecutive games for Pep Guardiola’s team.
He and Mbappé were regarded as the heirs of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, the two greatest players in football history.
Donnarumma is well placed to answer who is the best, and he chose Haaland, who he believes has the hardest shot in football.
“I think Erling has the [hardest shot],” Donnarumma told the Daily Mail in a new interview.
“He’s left-footed, so he’s different from Kylian. They are both difficult to play against. So it’s complicated. But I’d rather have Erling on my team.”
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Donnarumma and Haaland have become good friends since the Italian moved to City, and they have shared many hugs after games.
Donnarumma reveals all about his friendship with Haaland
Next month, however, they will face each other in a crucial World Cup qualifier when Italy hosts Norway.
“I would say we just got along well right away,” the AC Milan goalkeeper added about his relationship with Haaland.
“We’ve always had respect for each other, even before we met.”
“We dare a lot with each other about playing against each other on the national team. I would say that they are in a better situation than us now, they have much more peace of mind. But there are still two games left to play. It will be difficult to face each other, as difficult as it will be to play against him. I know how strong he is and what chances he can create. It will be difficult to face him, both as a player and as a friend.”
