‘I didn’t intend to hurt Jamal Musiala’ – Gianluigi Donnarumma defends himself following criticism | OneFootball

Gianluigi Donnarumma (26) has defended himself in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, following his involvement in Jamal Musiala’s serious injury.

During Paris Saint-Germain’s 2-0 victory over Bayern Munich in the FIFA Club World Cup quarter-finals, the Italian goalkeeper collided with Musiala. It was immediately clear from the aftermath of the clash that the German international was severely hurt, and he has since been ruled out for at least four months with a fractured fibula.

Donnarumma subsequently received criticism from his opposite number, Manuel Neuer, who said after the game, “It was a situation where it wasn’t necessary to intervene like that.” Adding, “He took a risk. He was ready to accept the risk of injuring his opponent. I told him: ‘Do you want to go and see our player?’ It’s a question of respect to go and see him and wish him good luck. Then he went and did it.”

The PSG goalkeeper has since told the Italian outlet, “I am very shocked by what happened, it was certainly not my intention to hurt Musiala.” His agent, Vincenzo Raiola, added, “he didn’t want to act as if nothing had happened… He preferred to step away to let the doctors take the best possible care of Musiala.”

PSG will contest the semi-final of the Club World Cup on Wednesday when they take on Real Madrid, in a reunion with former player Kylian Mbappé. The Real Madrid goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois (33), was quick to leap to Donnarumma’s defence after the match.

GFFN | Nick Hartland