Gianluigi Donnarumma, 26, took his hands to his head and did not know how to react soon after clash with Jamal Musiala, 22, and caused a serious injury to the opponent during the match between Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich, for the quarterfinals of the Club World Cup on Saturday (5).
The German midfielder tried to anticipate the Italian goalkeeper in a play near the bottom line, and as he held the ball, the PSG player fell on his leg. Immediately, the athletes of both teams realized the severity of the incident and were scared, bringing their hands to the head or covering their face.
Experienced goalkeepers playing the World Cup in the United States are divided over Donnarumma’s responsibility in the injury of Musiala. The German has suffered a fracture in the left leg fibula and, according to Bayern, will undergo surgery and be “a long time” away from the lawns.
For Neuer, goalkeeper of the German team, the Italian could have avoided this outcome. “It’s a situation where, I think, you don’t have to act this way, it’s quite risky. He simply accepted the risk of injury to the opponent. We are hoping it is not so serious, but it will certainly be,” said the German goalkeeper, according to the Bild newspaper.
Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, PSG’s next opponent in the Cup semifinal, came out in defense of the Italian and said to blame him would be excessive.
“Blaming Donnarumma for the injury seems to me excessive,” said Belgian archer. “The goalkeepers go after the ball, just as the attackers don’t wonder if they will hit us on their faces when we go out at their feet,” he added.
For the goalkeeper of Real, the bid will be marked in the memory of the Italian. “Donnarumma will be deeply hurt because these things hurt. Being your teammate, it hurts more, and you will criticize, but there was no way to avoid why the goalkeeper needs to get out there,” he said.
Musiala had a trajectory at the World Cup of clubs shaken by physical problems. He played the Bayern Munich debut against Auckland City, but had to leave the field with a muscle discomfort. As he was returning from injury, he was spared from the games against Boca Juniors and Benfica, still by the group stage.
The midfielder only returned in the round of 16, against Flamengo, when he acted for about 30 minutes. In front of PSG, the German was again starting.
Now, according to the German press, the recovery time to the return of Musiala will be four to five months, and the athlete could return before the holiday stop.
Musiala will also be out of the next three FIFA dates (September, October and November), when the Germany team will play for the European qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.
“Jamal’s injury is a big shock for all of us, mainly because he has just returned after a muscle injury. We wanted the best for surgery and a good and quick recovery,” commented German coach Julian Nagelsmann in a note from the German Football Federation.
PSG won the match 2-0 and faces Real Madrid in the semifinals of the competition. The confrontation will be next Wednesday (9), at 16h (Brasília), at Metlife Stadium.
On the other side of the key, the semifinalists were set on Friday (5), when Fluminense beat Al Hilal, and Chelsea eliminated Palmeiras. Next Tuesday (8), also at 16h (Brasília), the Rio team faces the British team worth a place in the decision.
