Former AC Milan goalkeeper Giovanni Galli claims Gianluigi Donnarumma is the only player who can break Paolo Maldini’s great record. The Paolo Maldini record in question is the record for the most appearances of all time at AC Milan.
For information, the legend has caps as many as 901 times with the Rossoneri. Meanwhile, Franco Baresi is second with 714 appearances. Donnarumma has played 241 matches since making his debut for AC Milan at the age of 16 in the 2015-2016 season. Due to his young age (22 years) Giovanni Galli believes Donnarumma can pass Maldini’s performance record.
However, there are still concerns over the goalkeeper’s future after Donnarumma’s contract with Milan will expire at the end of this season. Donnarumma has yet to sign a new contract, leaving the Rossoneri worried about his future. However, Giovanni Galli believes his successor will stay at Milan.
“Why doesn’t he stay? Milan has changed. There are new people who represent the club’s history in an important position at Milan,” Galli said. “If I were him, I would think twice before leaving. He was there at important times. Too bad to go now. I feel he will stay. I am one of his first fans,” said the optimistic Galli.
“He chose Milan when he was 14 years old, even though Inter almost signed him. I can’t imagine him wearing another jersey. Gigio can make history at Milan. He’s the only player who can break Paolo Maldini’s performance record,” he said. Negotiations for Gianluigi Donnarumma’s contract extension at AC Milan were complicated at the request of the goalkeeper’s agent, Mino Raiola.
The Rossoneri are actually ready to pay eight million euros over five seasons in Donnarumma’s new contract. That is AC Milan’s highest bid for the goalkeeper, considering that the club is still thrifty amid the Covid-19 pandemic. However, Mino Raiola is demanding a large salary for Donnarumma in his new contract.
According to the La Gazzetta dello Sport report, Raiola asked AC Milan to pay Donnarumma 10 million euros per season. Not only that, Raiola also only wanted Donnarumma to sign a short-term contract. Hence, negotiations were still tough. However, Milan reportedly did not want to give up. Rossoneri will try hard to find a solution related to Donnarumma’s contract extension.
