Gianluigi Donnarumma breaks silence with emotional statement after Italy’s World Cup heartbreak

Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma has released an emotional statement addressing the side’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Donnarumma could not prevent Italy from failing to qualify for a third successive World Cup, as they were beaten by Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday (31 March). The home side won 4-1 on penalties after the play-off finished 1-1 following 90 minutes and extra time.

Gennaro Gattuso’s side took the lead through Moise Kean after 15 minutes, but their task was made harder when Alessandro Bastoni was sent off for a challenge on Amar Memić.

Bosnia made the four-time World Cup winners pay in the 79th minute, when Haris Tabaković beat Donnarumma from close range.

Benjamin Tahirović, Tabaković, Kerim Alajbegović and Esmir Bajraktarević converted all four of Bosnia’s penalties, while only Sandro Tonali scored for Italy from 12 yards.

Several members of the Italy set-up appeared tearful after the match, with winger Leonardo Spinazzola saying: “Italian children will see another World Cup without Italy.

“I still can’t believe we went out like this after playing with 10 men. With grit, we took it to penalties. We could have scored three or four goals, and it’s a huge disappointment for everyone.”

Bosnia progressed to Group B of the World Cup, where they will face co-hosts Canada, Qatar and Switzerland.

As for Italy, the inquest will no doubt continue for some time, with head coach Gattuso’s future uncertain.

“It hurts, because we needed it for us, for all of Italy and for our movement,” an emotional Gattuso said after the match.

“A blow that’s difficult to digest.

“I would have given up years of my life, money, for us to achieve our goal.”

Now, Italy captain and Manchester City goalkeeper Donnarumma has addressed the result in a statement posted on his Instagram account.

Translated from Italian into English, he wrote: “Last night, after the match, I cried. I cried out of disappointment at not being able to take Italy where it deserves to be. I cried because of the deep sadness I’m feeling, along with the entire Azzurri group, which I’m proud to captain, and that I know you, the fans of our national team, are also feeling right now.

“Now, words don’t mean much – it’s true. But there’s one thing I feel strongly inside, and I want to share it with you: after such a huge disappointment, you have to find the courage to turn the page once again. And to do that, it takes strength, passion and belief.

“Always believing – that’s the driving force to keep going. Because life rewards those who give everything, holding nothing back. And this is where we must start again. Together. Once more. To bring Italy back where it deserves to be.”