Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was among the 30 players shortlisted for the 2021 Ballon d’Or award. Donnarumma’s feats at the club and the international levels this year assured that he will at the least finish in the top 30 in this year’s Ballon d’Or vote.
Former Italian center-back Fabio Cannavaro won the Ballon d’Or award in 2006, and he sees that Donnarumma has what it takes to become the next Italian talent to claim this honor.
In speaking to the Italian-based outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport, Cannavaro made a case for why Donnarumma could soon win this award in his career.
“For goalkeepers, as for defenders, it is always very hard,” Cannavaro said. “It is not by chance that only the Russian Yashin has won it. Gigio will have many possibilities if he continues in this way. Between the national team and PSG, he will be able to win a lot and have a better chance at the trophy considering that the era of Messi and Ronaldo is in its twilight and there are still no great dominators on the horizon.”
As Cannavaro mentioned, longtime Dynamo Moscow star Lev Yashin won the Ballon d’Or award in 1963. To date, Yashin is still the only goalkeeper who has won this world football honor.
For now, Donnarumma sure will look to make a strong case to be PSG’s main starting goalkeeper this season.
