Pagliuca: Martinez World’s Strongest, on Donnarumma-Maignan

Former Bologna and Inter Milan goalkeeper, Gianluca Pagliuca, has given his perspective on the current state of football goalkeeping in an interview with Tuttosport, hailing Emiliano ‘Dibu’ Martínez as the world’s best.

According to Pagliuca, Argentina and Aston Villa keeper Martínez is currently the best goalkeeper in the world. He said, “Dibu Martínez is the best globally, proficient in every aspect, and doesn’t have a weak point. He commands the defence well, has a strong personality and doesn’t buckle under pressure as shown in the World Cup. Plus, he is explosive in goal; it becomes impossible to score against him.”

Furthermore, the former goalkeeper assessed the performances of Lille’s and AC Milan’s Mike Maignan and Italy’s and Paris Saint-Germain’s (PSG) Gianluigi Donnarumma. He apparently felt that the criticism levelled at both players is not fair and equal.

In Pagliuca’s view, “Maignan of Milan is strong, but he’s made a few mistakes in recent matches. Still, when Maignan makes errors, it goes unnoticed, while preliminary criticism is harsh for Donnarumma. They are strict about his mistakes and often tear him apart. It’s sad because when he performs well in crucial moments like in Dortmund, where he made four decisive saves for progress in the Champions League, no one talks about it. For me, Gigio remains the strongest Italian goalkeeper, a treasure of our football that needs more support and protection”.

For the full interview, continue on Milan News 24.