GIANLUIGI DONNARUMMA is continuing his remarkable ascent by receiving a call-up to the senior Italian squad.
In the process, the 17-year-old AC Milan goalkeeper has become the youngest player to do so since Rodolfo Gavinelli made his debut against France in 1911 aged just 16.
The Azzurri take on Les Bleus in a friendly on 1 September before beginning their World Cup qualification campaign four days later against Israel in Haifa.
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Donnarumma was involved in Milan’s youth team when he was brought on the pre-season tour to China in the summer of 2015.
When the Rossoneri’s campaign started poorly, then-boss Sinisa Mihajlovic made a huge call and started the 16-year-old for the Milan derby. Diego Lopez, a Champions League and La Liga winner with Real Madrid, was dropped in favour of the unproven teen.
Last March, he signed a three-year deal with the club and featured against Juventus in the 2016 Coppa Italia final.
He made 30 top-flight appearances in total last term and has begun this season brightly, saving a penalty in Milan’s 3-2 opening weekend victory over Torino.
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Teenager Donnarumma becomes youngest Italian to win senior call-up in over 100 years
GIANLUIGI DONNARUMMA is continuing his remarkable ascent by receiving a call-up to the senior Italian squad.
In the process, the 17-year-old AC Milan goalkeeper has become the youngest player to do so since Rodolfo Gavinelli made his debut against France in 1911 aged just 16.
The Azzurri take on Les Bleus in a friendly on 1 September before beginning their World Cup qualification campaign four days later against Israel in Haifa.
Donnarumma was involved in Milan’s youth team when he was brought on the pre-season tour to China in the summer of 2015.
When the Rossoneri’s campaign started poorly, then-boss Sinisa Mihajlovic made a huge call and started the 16-year-old for the Milan derby. Diego Lopez, a Champions League and La Liga winner with Real Madrid, was dropped in favour of the unproven teen.
And from that point on, he’s never looked back.
Last March, he signed a three-year deal with the club and featured against Juventus in the 2016 Coppa Italia final.
He made 30 top-flight appearances in total last term and has begun this season brightly, saving a penalty in Milan’s 3-2 opening weekend victory over Torino.
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Azzurri Serie A Gianluigi Donnarumma Remarkable Italy Milan