Gianluigi Donnarumma targets first World Cup at 27 as Italy visit Bosnia and Herzegovina | OneFootball

At 27, Gianluigi Donnarumma is chasing a first World Cup as Italy visit Bosnia and Herzegovina in Zenica on Tuesday at 20:45 in a play-off final. According to L'Équipe, the former PSG goalkeeper leads a side desperate to end their wait.

In the Zenica press room on Monday he cut a serious figure, on the eve of what would be his 81st cap. As captain, he said the squad feel the country’s expectations, must give everything with calm and intensity, and match opponents’ high tempo.

Gianluigi Buffon, now head of delegation and long his role model, listened approvingly. His guidance could help in the hours when tension rises.

Of those in Bosnia for this final, Donnarumma is the sole survivor of November 2017 against Sweden, when he watched powerless from the bench. Already Milan’s number one at 16, his path looked set for every trophy and Italy felt a World Cup fixture since 1958.

Euro 2021 crowned him, yet in March 2022 North Macedonia won 0-1, scoring with their only shot on target after 90 minutes of near inaction. He says only the players truly grasp that night and they do not want to relive it.

Waiting until 31 for a first World Cup would jar with a career that began in Serie A at 16, added the Euro at 22 and the Champions League at 26. Tonight offers a chance to change that.

Source: L'Équipe