‘Donnarumma happy to host Napoli, Guardiola wants him to wake up Manchester City’ | OneFootball

Gianluigi Donnarumma’s agent reveals why Pep Guardiola asked him to ‘wake up’ Manchester City and the goalkeeper is happier to avoid Napoli at the Stadio Maradona.

The reunion with an Italian team is immediate, as Manchester City host Napoli in the Champions League on Thursday at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).

He hasn’t faced off against many Italian teams since leaving Milan for Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2021.

“The first team is like the first love, it can never be forgotten,” agent Vincenzo Raiola told Radio CRC.

“After that, work takes you to different situations over the course of a lifetime.”

Donnarumma called to become a ‘leader’ at Manchester City

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 14: Erling Haaland celebrates with Gianluigi Donnarumma of Manchester City after a save during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Etihad Stadium on September 14, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

The latest is Manchester City, where Guardiola played a key part in getting the club to invest €30m in a player who was down to the final months of his PSG contract.

“Many coaches have gone crazy for Donnarumma over the years. Guardiola was very happy to have him in the squad. Aside from how he wants Gianluigi to play, what he asked was to wake up the team, because in Manchester they need someone who can keep them on their toes and know how to revitalise the atmosphere.

“Donnarumma is a leader, sometimes a silent one, but in the important moments, he always makes his voice heard. For example, before the Champions League Final between PSG and Inter, he wrote a letter to all his teammates, getting it translated in all their native languages so it really hit home. Ousmane Dembele revealed that and was so impressed.”

There was some criticism of the Italy international for his difficulty playing the ball with his feet, but his skills as a shot-stopper should cancel out that weakness.

“I don’t listen to criticism, even players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have been criticised. It’s just someone trying to get noticed. I also don’t understand the criticism of how he plays with his feet, it’s not like he did anything that bad. Besides, he’s been playing for 10 years at the highest level, and that’s a remarkable result.”

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 14: Gianluigi Donnarumma of Manchester City warms up prior to the Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Etihad Stadium on September 14, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Donnarumma had been linked with a return to Serie A in recent years, for Juventus, Inter, or Napoli, but he’ll be at the Etihad to welcome the Partenopei on Thursday.

“Gianluigi told me he’s happy it is being played in Manchester, because it would’ve been more difficult for him to play at the Stadio Maradona,” continued Raiola.

“Donnarumma is happy to play against Napoli, because it is still a connection with home. Napoli are also among the top eight teams in Europe and can aim at winning the Champions League, especially with a leader like Antonio Conte at the helm.

“It’s a different format now and there can be some setbacks, but they mustn’t get discouraged. Just look at how PSG grew from the tough start last season!”