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Topics: Gianluigi Donnarumma, Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland
Josh Lawless
Topics: Gianluigi Donnarumma, Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland
Gianluigi Donnarumma has settled the debate involving Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland, having played both of the deadly forwards.
Donnarumma played 105 times with Mbappe at Paris Saint-Germain after signing on a free transfer in 2021, winning three Ligue One titles together before the Frenchman left for Real Madrid in 2024.
The Italy goalkeeper followed Mbappe in leaving PSG a season later after winning the Champions League as part of a historic treble, signing for Manchester City in a £26 million move on transfer deadline day.
Replacing club legend Ederson, who joined Turkish side Fenerbahce, Donnarumma is yet to taste defeat in a City shirt after joining a side who lost two out of their first three games of the season.
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He has had a phenomenal impact in keeping the ball out of the net, with the unplayable Haaland doing the business in style at the other end of the pitch.
Haaland has 15 goals in 11 games this season and has scored in nine consecutive matches for Pep Guardiola's side.
He and Mbappe were tipped as the heirs to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, the two greatest players in the history of football.
Donnarumma is well-placed to answer on who is superior and went with Haaland, who he believes has the hardest shot in football
"I think Erling does [have the hardest shot]," Donnarumma told the Daily Mail in a new interview.
"He is left-footed so he is different from Kylian (Mbappe). They are both hard to play against. So it’s complicated. But I would rather have Erling playing for my side."
Donnarumma and Haaland have become great friends since the Italian moved to City and have shared many embraces after games.
Next month, however, they will come up against one another in a crucial World Cup qualifier when Italy host Norway.
"I’d say we just got on well immediately," the AC Milan shotstopper added on his relationship with Haaland.
"We have always respected each other, even before we met.
"We make a lot of banter about playing against each other in the national teams. I’d say they are in a better situation than us now, they have much more peace of mind.
‘But there are still two games left to play. It will be difficult to face each other, as it will be difficult to play against him. I know how strong he is and what chances he can create. It will be hard to face him both as a player and as a friend."