Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma addressed recent reports suggesting that the national team’s players demanded a bonus in exchange for qualifying for this year’s World Cup, calling the claims unfounded and hurtful. The four-time world champions failed to secure a spot in the tournament after a 4-1 penalty shootout loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina in last month’s playoff final.

“As captain, I never went to ask the Italian national team for a single euro,” Donnarumma said, emphasizing that any bonuses given were customary gifts from the federation for teams that qualify for major tournaments. “Our reward was getting to go to the World Cup,” he added.

Italy’s absence from the World Cup, scheduled for June 11 to July 19 in North America, has prompted significant fallout within the country’s football hierarchy. Italian Football Federation President Gabriele Gravina announced his resignation amid political pressure following the failure to qualify. Additionally, former national team goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon stepped down from his role as delegation chief, while head coach Gennaro Gattuso also left his position.

Donnarumma, 27, stressed the need for a fresh start for the national team. “We have to bounce back; there are four years until the next World Cup, and in the meantime there are major competitions like the European Championship and the Nations League,” he said. He called for a focus on these upcoming tournaments as Italy aims to rebuild and regain its competitiveness on the international stage.