Donnarumma reveals the one thing he ‘will always remember’ from Italy’s Euro 2020 triumph

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 11: Leonardo Bonucci of Italy celebrates with The Henri Delaunay Trophy following his team's victory in the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Final between Italy and England at Wembley Stadium on July 11, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

Gianluigi Donnarumma hopes the fact that the next Euros final will be hosted at Wembley and the fact that Roberto Mancini is back in charge of the Italy national team is a good omen, but says that his overriding memory from the triumphant Euro 2020 final was the CT’s embrace with the late Gianluca Vialli at the full-time whistle: ‘A memory I will always carry with me’. 

Donnarumma recalls special Vialli memory with Italy: ‘Beautiful to witness’

The Italy national team squad is preparing to assemble for the first time since the massive disappointment of the World Cup play-off final defeat against Bosnia and Herzegovina at the end of March, as a series of Nations League fixtures are in store during the extra-long September-October international break. 

The Azzurri did play a pair of friendlies in June, which Donnarumma was involved in, but he and youngsters Pio Esposito and Marco Palestra were the only established Italy internationals in a squad that was made up largely by U21 players under the reign of interim CT Silvio Baldini. 

Ahead of the upcoming international break, Italy skipper Donnarumma sat down for an in-depth interview with Sky Sport Italia, discussing his life at Manchester City, his disappointing summer with no World Cup action and his hopes for the upcoming Nations League and European Championship qualifying campaigns. 

Donnarumma also spoke about his memories from Italy’s Euro 2020 victory under Roberto Mancini, who has recently returned to the role of CT. 

“Wembley brings up one of the best moments of my life, possibly the absolute best along with the birth of my son,” said Donnarumma. 

There is one particular moment that the Italy no.1 says will stay with him forever: “It was so special to me. The image that I will always remember is the hug between Mister Mancini and Gianluca Vialli after the final. That was extraordinary, beautiful to witness. 

“It showed how much Gianluca meant to all of us, to our squad, and to one of his closest friends. That’s a memory I will always carry with me. I’m certain we will get back to performing well, qualifying for the Euros and then the World Cup. With Mister Mancini, Italy will return to where it belongs.”