AC Milan’s highly-rated goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma couldn’t help but break down in tears after club supporters turned on him.
The AC Milan fans turned on one of their own by telling the 18-year old to leave the club during Wednesday’s 3-0 win over Hellas Verona in what was a Coppa Italia clash at the San Siro.
Italian international Donnaruma has reportedly been in contract dispute with the club and that he has instructed his agent, Mino Raiola, to arrange a move away from the AC Milan.
His contractual situation at the club prompted fans to unfurl a 100ft banner criticising Gianlugi Donnaruma before kick-off.
The cruel treatment he received from his own fans caused him to break down in the dressing room as Milan’s players returned from their pre-match warm up.
Club captain was thereafter seen trying to console the broken Donnaruma.
The big-sized banner, which stretched across three sections of the San Siro, pointed out that fans had ‘lost patience’ with him.
The banner read: “Moral violence, 6 million per year and the signing of a parasite brother? Now get out, the patience is over!”
The ‘parasite brother’ is his 27-year-old sibling and fellow goalkeeper Antonio, who joined AC Milan from Greek Super League side Asteras Tripoli in the summer but is yet to make his debut for the Rossoneri.
Speaking after the convincing win, newly-appointed head coach Gennaro Gattuso defended his young goalkeeper.
In his interview with Rai Sport, Gattuso said: :He’s an 18-year-old kid, of course he was shaken.”
“I can only thank him for what he’s doing. For his age, he’s the best goalkeeper in the world right now.
“You can tell from his face he’s not happy, but I have known a great athlete and great kid. He will have my protection, for all the protection I can give.
“If the club says it doesn’t need to sell anyone, nor wants to, then why should we even talk about this? I respect the fans, but people need to understand whether ‘Gigio’ really does want to go or if he wants to stay. I can say I’m working with a great athlete and professional.” he added.
Speaking further, Gattuso said: “I am the coach of Milan, so I can talk about the lad, the athlete, but nothing else. ‘Gigio’ has not told me personally that he wants to leave. If he did, that would be different.
“I’m not talking about Mino Raiola, because I speak to ‘Gigio’ every day. I don’t know if Mino is trying to push players away from the club either.
“I feel terrible about this, as people are painting a kid as if he’s a monster and he doesn’t deserve it. Fortunately, there were only 9,000 people in the stadium tonight. Imagine how it would feel if there were 50,000 insulting him.” he concluded.[tps_title][/tps_title]
