A golden paradox: Donnarumma wins Yashin Trophy after being sold by PSG

Gianluigi Donnarumma has officially been recognized as the best goalkeeper in the world, taking home the coveted Yashin Trophy at the 2025 Ballon d'Or awards. This prestigious honor caps off an incredible year for the Italian, who played a crucial role in Paris Saint-Germain's historic run to their first-ever Champions League title. Donnarumma’s exceptional performances also earned him a ninth-place finish in the overall Ballon d'Or rankings, a rare feat for a goalkeeper.

Donnarumma was a vital presence for PSG last season, making a series of phenomenal saves in the knockout stages against top clubs like Liverpool and Arsenal. His heroics were key to the team's European success, and his contributions were further recognized with a spot in the Champions League Team of the Season.

The summer saga

Despite his undisputed success, Donnarumma's future in Paris was in doubt. PSG's head coach, Luis Enrique, was looking for a goalkeeper with a different playing style to better suit his system. This decision ultimately led to the club signing Lucas Chevalier from Lille, and Donnarumma, who was arguably one of the team's best players, was put on the market.

In a move that sent shockwaves through the football world, the Italian was sold to Premier League powerhouse Manchester City, where he has already made a significant impact. In his first two major games for the club, including matches against rivals Manchester United and Arsenal, Donnarumma has conceded just one goal, proving his value to a new team in a new league. This dual recognition of being both a champion with PSG and a prize-winner who was subsequently sold makes his story one of the most compelling of the year.