
Gianluigi Donnarumma has been dramatically left out of Paris Saint-Germain’s squad for their highly anticipated European Super Cup clash against Tottenham Hotspur, a decision that has sent shockwaves through the football world and left fans questioning the motive behind the surprising omission.
The Italian shot-stopper, who has been the club’s first-choice goalkeeper in recent seasons, was expected to play a key role in the high-stakes encounter, but the official squad list released by PSG ahead of the fixture did not feature his name, sparking intense speculation across social media and football circles.
Reports emerging from Paris suggest the exclusion may not be injury-related, as Donnarumma has been training with the squad in recent days and showed no visible signs of discomfort during the team’s preparations.
This has led to widespread debate over whether the decision stems from tactical considerations, internal disagreements, or a potential transfer development behind the scenes. The timing of the move is particularly striking, given that PSG are set to face a strong Tottenham side who have been in scintillating form under their new manager, and who will undoubtedly see the absence of Donnarumma as a major boost to their chances.
While the club has remained tight-lipped, refusing to offer any detailed explanation, several French outlets have hinted at possible disciplinary reasons, suggesting that tensions within the camp could be higher than previously believed. For Donnarumma, this exclusion marks a rare setback since joining the French champions from AC Milan in 2021, a move that was hailed as a coup for PSG at the time. His commanding performances and big-match experience have often proven vital in both domestic and European competitions, making his absence from such a crucial fixture all the more perplexing.
Fans of the Italian national team have also been drawn into the discussion, as they worry about the potential implications this situation could have on his form and confidence ahead of international duties. The news broke late last night, and within minutes, #Donnarumma began trending on Twitter, with thousands of fans demanding clarity from PSG. Some supporters expressed disappointment and frustration, claiming the club owed them transparency, while others speculated that this could be part of a larger strategic decision, perhaps to give backup goalkeeper Keylor Navas or a younger talent a chance to prove themselves on the big stage.
Tottenham, on the other hand, are reportedly unfazed by the surrounding drama and are fully focused on exploiting PSG’s possible vulnerability at the back. Spurs’ prolific attacking duo has been in lethal form, and many pundits now believe they could take full advantage of facing a less experienced goalkeeper in the final. The European Super Cup, which pits the winners of the Champions League against the Europa League champions, is one of the most prestigious single-match trophies in club football, and PSG were expected to field their strongest possible XI in pursuit of the silverware.
Donnarumma’s absence, therefore, represents a significant shift in the pre-match narrative, with questions now swirling over whether the Parisians’ preparations have been disrupted. PSG manager Luis Enrique faced the media earlier today but remained guarded when asked directly about the goalkeeper’s omission, stating only that “squad decisions are made in the best interest of the team” and that “all players remain important to the club.” His brief comments have done little to quell the speculation, and the press conference quickly turned into a flurry of questions about Donnarumma rather than the match itself.