Donnarumma’s message to Italy fans: ‘I cried, there’s ‘one thing’ I feel | OneFootball

Italy captain Gianluigi Donnarumma admits he ‘cried’ after a World Cup play-off Final defeat against Bosnia and Herzegovina, but urges fans to keep supporting the team with ‘strength, passion and belief.’

It’s another shocking day for Italian football as the Azzurri have failed to qualify for the World Cup for the third consecutive time.

Tuesday’s loss on penalties against Bosnia and Herzegovina means the Azzurri won’t travel to the USA, Mexico, and Canada next summer, while their most recent World Cup appearance dates back to 2014.

Leonardo Spinazzola was the only Italy player facing the media at full-time, while captain Gigio Donnarumma sent a message to Azzurri supporters via Instagram on Wednesday.

“Last night, after the match, I cried,” wrote the Manchester City star.

“I cried with disappointment at not being able to take Italy to where it deserves to be. I cried because of the immense sadness I’m feeling together with the entire Azzurri squad of which I am proud to be captain, and which, I know, at this moment, you too are feeling, supporters of our national team.

ZENICA, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA – MARCH 31: Gianluigi Donnarumma of Italy reacts after the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs match between Bosnia & Herzegovina and Italy at Stadion Bilino Polje on March 31, 2026 in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina. (Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images)

“Now words don’t mean much, it’s true. But there’s one thing I feel strongly inside and want to share with you. After such a great disappointment, we must find the courage to turn the page once again. And to do that, we need a lot of strength, passion and belief. Always believing. That’s the engine that drives us forward because life knows how to reward those who give everything, holding nothing back.

“And this is where we must start again. Together. Once more. To bring Italy back to where it deserves to be.”

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 08: Gianluigi Donnarumma of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield on February 08, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Donnarumma has made 81 appearances for the Italy national team but has never played in a World Cup with the Azzurri, and will be 31 when the next World Cup is held in 2030.