Mario Balotelli has jumped to the defence of Gianluigi Donnarumma after he was given a very hostile reception upon his return to face AC Milan as an opponent with PSG.
Having been booed and whistled in the build-up to the match, Donnarumma had to move fake money with his face on it away from his goal as it rained down from Rossoneri supporters who are still unhappy about his exit.
Milan won the game 2-1 with goals from Rafael Leao and Olivier Giroud after Milan Skriniar had put the visitors ahead early on, and Kylian Mbappe spoke after the game to brand the reception from Milan fans as being ‘a bit too much’.
Balotelli is of course not only a former Milan player but a fan of the club so he has the chance to see both sides of things, and he spoke about Donnarumma on the Vox to Box podcast.
“I felt sorry for Gigio, we really don’t know the things that happened to him. The AC Milan fans can’t understand, but I’m sorry because he doesn’t deserve it to be treated like this. As a footballer he cannot say what really happened,” he said (via PianetaMilan).
“I believe, however, that if he had been able to, he would have stayed at Milan. I know what happened, he is not at fault, and it is not a given to react as he did. For what the fans know, it’s okay for them to behave like this, but Gigio didn’t answer to anyone and didn’t do anything.
Balotelli also spoke about Massimiliano Allegri, the current Juventus coach whom he worked under at Milan during his first spell at Milan from January 2013 to January 2014.
“If we could win every match 1-0, playing badly, I would sign. But as a striker, if they asked me to always play it safe, little by little I would start to ask myself questions, because I would always like to be able to score. In any case, if Allegri he prepared the match like this, and he won, he was certainly right,” he said.
“He was anything but defensive. There was a certain type of player: me, Stephan El Shaarawy , Robinho… Evidently, if he decided to play like this at Juve, it’s because Juve’s players aren’t as strong as you think.
“I defend Allegri because I liked him a lot , he is a coach who makes you laugh, and this is very important in football, for me this is more important, having a good relationship with the players, than tactics.”
He was given the starting spot at 16. He was extended for 6M a year in 2017 at 18. His brother Antonio was hired for 1M a year just to be around. He was awarded the captain’s armband quite often. He was always talking about his love for the club. He tried to extort as much as he could for renewing. The previous management got sick of him and turned to Maignan. Unless he was under witness protection and had to leave Milan, I think Balotelli should just shut his mouth. Especially if it’s for praising Allegri haha
Exactly.
Donnarumma is f#@king disgrace. End of.
Balotelli on the other hand – well imagine he’d stuck around for the past 10 years!
Could’ve been different. He rarely let us down when he played for Milan. 30 goals in 54 games in his first stint. He could’ve built on that.
Galliani and his agent messed him around.
Sorry Mario, we know exactly what happened, he listened to his greedy agent and took the money and ran. And for that deserves all the abuse that he gets.
Dollaruma has gotten exactly what can be expected. Chased the money and paid the price. And then we upgraded to Maignan. That’s how it goes
Gigio in his mind might have his heart in the right place and really love the club. But actions also dictate how others feel about you. It’s like saying you love your gf but never show her that you do. And by extension, your agent becomes an extension of you and your actions. That was and is the problem. His agent trying to get more from the club and running down the contract to favour their negotiation power meant HE (whether he likes it or not) wanted to get more from the club and be in an advantageous position. That’s the part he’s not getting. No one said he didn’t perform and so on. He’s in control of his own destiny and he could have put all this to bed by simply commanding the situation better rather than let someone speak for you in a way which rubs fans and the club the wrong way. He could also fire his agent afterwards, that might have been a step to quell some of the animosity
“I believe, however, that if he had been able to, he would have stayed at Milan.”
Yeah, sure… Milan DIDN’T try to make him sign the extension for roughly two years and Gigio was never offered a contract, eh? Good one, Mario. Good one. 😀
When Maldini can’t get you to see logic then you know you have greedy agent issues
This. When a man like Maldini couldn’t convince you to extend in a club that you said you also loved, well you have other motivation. Money, plain and simple in this case.
And reading all these articles made it certain that he didn’t control his own destiny and decision. He made his agent bigger than himself (unlike for instant example Ibra whom he share the same person). Maybe out of debt of gratitude and such.
U guys are nothing but hypocrites. criticising Donn for leaving Milan because of money yet at sight of that same money you people sold tonali to the Saudis even when it was clear that the lad did not want to leave club. disgraceful fans
Tonali didnt leave for free the same way as Kaka,Sheva etc, while this disgrace dollaruma despite everything Milan did for him decided to leave as a free agent, you are an idi*t if you still supporting this guy.
Thank u for pointing it out that u guys are mad cause u did receive any money from his transfer which shows that u don’t have any loyalty to your players.u sell as soon as u see d dollar sign.to u it is business y can’t it be the same to the players ?#hypocrites
I suggest you get the facts and context of the matter right before giving your two cents. If not you are free to keep quiet on this issue.
Respectfully🙏
What facts are there to look for?that he is an academy player that left for free.if you have any fact that we don’t know please share them.
LOL. Just because you and Dollarrumma are “in it for the money only” doesn’t mean everyone else is. I’ve been offered better pay elsewhere but haven’t switched jobs. Giroud was offered more by the Saudis and didn’t leave. Same applies to maybe 80% of people. Apparently not you and Gigio though.
It is called choice bro,deal with it