AC Milan goalkeeper Antonio Donnarumma has become the latest player to join in on AC Milan’s Instagram Q&A with fans.
Although the majority of the spotlight has been on his younger brother Gianluigi since his arrival back in 2017, Antonio Donnarumma has become somewhat of a cult hero at Milan.
Back in January, the 29-year-old kept his third clean sheet in three games for the Diavolo in a Coppa Italia game against SPAL.
In the process, he became the only goalkeeper in the club’s 120-year history to not concede a goal in at least 300 minutes of action (120′ vs. Inter, 90′ vs. Ludogorets and 90′ vs. SPAL).
There are question marks over his future at the club – which seems to be tied to that of Gigio – but for now the focus is on getting through quarantine and a return to action.
He spoke to Milan’s official Instagram account about various topics, with his words transcribed by MilanNews.
How are you spending quarantine? “I am spending it with my wife and son, I am learning to cook a bit, I train every day and I try to spend as much time as possible with my son.”
How many hours a day are you training? “I train every day, we connect with our trainers who make us do alternating strengthening and aerobic work.”
Why did you choose the number 90? “I chose 90 because it’s my year of birth, for me it’s a lucky number.”
How did you feel about winning the derby on your debut with AC Milan? “Winning the derby is always something special, a game that I will always remember. In fact, I remember every moment and it’s a beautiful feeling.”
You have not played as much but you have not yet conceded a goal: “Let’s say that the average is excellent, I always train to the maximum as if I had to play. I try to always find myself ready.”
Three words that describe your brother: “Loyal, determined and touchy. I’ll add another: phenomenon.”
Favourite Neapolitan dish? “I say pizza, as dessert I choose babà”.
Do you follow any other sport besides football? “I really like sport in general, what prevails above all is tennis.”
Who is your favourite goalkeeper in history and why? “There were a lot of great goalkeepers, when I was little I always looked at Oliver Kahn because I liked his way of parrying and his charisma.
“I also say Dida because when I arrived at Milan that I was very young, I was 14 years old, he was one of the goalkeepers strongest in the world and therefore he was the example to follow.”
Where did your passion for football come from? “It was born thanks to my uncle, he was a goalkeeper coach. I remember that as a child he came to pick me up every day at home and took me with him to the field and trained me.”
How are you as a dad? And Gigio as an uncle? “I am sure I am a present dad and I try to teach my son the values my parents taught me.
“Instead my brother is an extraordinary uncle. He spoils him a lot and for this reason I get nervous every now and then, but in the end it is right that he is so, it is right that the uncle spoils him.”
What music do you listen to? Do you have a favourite genre? “I am not a lover of music. Even in the locker room before the games I see all my teammates listening to music, but I do not listen to anything. Maybe I listen to some music when I am with my wife because she likes it so much and I listen to her music.”
How many differences are there between Naples and Milan? “Naples is my hometown, Milan instead I consider it my second home.”
What do you think it will be like to return to the field after the lockdown? “First of all, I hope this moment will pass. Returning to the field will certainly be beautiful but also strange. Let me say a final thought for all the people who are suffering and for those who have lost a loved one and for all the doctors, nurses, rescuers, who are really doing the impossible to win this battle.”
