Erling Haaland Praises Gianluigi Donnarumma After Sensational Premier League Debut
Erling Haaland is not usually known for sharing the spotlight, but after Manchester City’s convincing victory over Manchester United, the Norwegian striker stunned fans by admitting he might hand over his Man of the Match award to none other than Gianluigi Donnarumma.
The Italian goalkeeper, who recently made the move to the Premier League, marked his debut in style with a commanding performance between the posts. Not only did he keep a clean sheet, but his crucial save against Bryan Mbeumo when the score stood at 2-0 became the defining moment of the match. It was the type of save that separates an ordinary debut from an unforgettable one.
Haaland, who scored twice and once again showcased his lethal finishing ability, took a step back to acknowledge Donnarumma’s brilliance:
“He was incredible tonight. I know strikers usually take the headlines, but football is not just about goals. It’s about saving them too. If anyone deserves the Man of the Match trophy, it’s Gianluigi.”
The comment drew widespread attention not only because Haaland is a goal machine who thrives on personal glory, but also because it highlighted the respect he has for his teammates. Fans immediately began debating online whether Haaland would truly follow through and hand over his award, turning a routine post-match moment into a viral talking point.
Donnarumma’s arrival in Manchester had been met with skepticism. Some critics questioned whether he could adapt to the pace and physicality of English football after his mixed spell at Paris Saint-Germain. But on his debut, he silenced the doubters with a commanding display. His reflexes, composure under pressure, and ability to organize the backline impressed not only fans but also his teammates.
The save against Mbeumo stood out above all. The Brentford attacker thought he had halved the deficit, only for Donnarumma to stretch across goal with lightning speed and deny what looked like a certain goal. That stop preserved City’s lead and crushed any hopes United had of clawing their way back into the game.
City manager Pep Guardiola praised both players afterward, noting that Haaland’s humility and Donnarumma’s resilience are exactly what the team needs as they chase silverware this season. Guardiola hinted that this balance between firepower up front and security at the back could be the key to City’s dominance in both domestic and European competitions.
For Donnarumma, the praise from Haaland was more than just kind words—it was validation. Being publicly acknowledged by one of the world’s most feared strikers adds weight to his growing reputation in England. Fans are now eager to see whether this was just a brilliant debut or the start of a new era of goalkeeping excellence at the Etihad.
As for Haaland, his playful suggestion about passing the trophy to Donnarumma may or may not come true, but it reflects something deeper: a striker who understands that football is won by both scoring goals and preventing them. Whether he actually gives up the award is almost irrelevant—his words alone show the respect and camaraderie within the Manchester City squad.
The only certainty? If Donnarumma continues performing at this level, Haaland might not have to “share” his trophies—because the Italian will be winning plenty of his own.
