Kafanov: Safonov Helped Donnarumma Become the Best Goalkeeper in the World

Russia's national team goalkeeping coach Vitaliy Kafanov has highlighted goalkeeper Matvey Safonov's role in inspiring Italy's Gianluigi Donnarumma to become one of the world's best goalkeepers. According to Kafanov, the competition with Safonov at PSG motivated Donnarumma.

"In the winter, Gianluigi wanted to leave the team because he did not like that Matvey was playing. However, later he refocused on his game, and when he started to perform successfully, he was genuinely happy," Kafanov said in an interview with "RB Sport."

The coach added that Donnarumma was more delighted with the saves he made during his competition with Safonov at PSG than he was with Italy's Euro 2020 final penalty shootout victory. Last autumn, Donnarumma left PSG and transferred to Manchester City.

Meanwhile, Safonov remains the second-choice goalkeeper and has not played a single match in the 2025/2026 season so far. Read “Zamin” on Telegram!