Gianluigi Donnarumma: 7 times players and clubs have cut ties bitterly

Gianluigi Donnarumma finds himself in an increasingly acrimonious situation at Paris Saint-Germain, culminating in his public announcement of an impending departure.

The Italian goalkeeper’s furious statement on social media expressed profound disappointment, stating that he is being pushed out of the Parisian club.

Donnarumma’s public outcry followed his conspicuous exclusion from the squad for the UEFA Super Cup final against Tottenham Hotspur, a clear sign of his diminished standing within the club.

The catalyst for this dramatic turn was the arrival of Lucas Chevalier from Lille for a significant €40 million, indicating a strategic shift by PSG in their goalkeeping department.

Luis Enrique later clarified the decision, explaining that the club was seeking a different type of goalkeeper, specifically citing Chevalier's ability on the ball as a crucial factor; an area previously identified as a noticeable shortcoming for Donnarumma.

The European champions’ decision is particularly jarring given Donnarumma's stellar performance last season, where he was arguably the best goalkeeper in Europe, playing a pivotal role in PSG's Champions League success.

In this article, Pulse Sports revisits previous cases of players and clubs ending relationships on bad terms, acrimonious transfers and contentious club changes. 

Mario Gotze's transfer from Borussia Dortmund to Bayern Munich in 2013 was highly acrimonious, deeply hurting Dortmund fans and the club. 

The move, triggered by a €37 million release clause, was announced just 36 hours before BVB faced Real Madrid in a Champions League semi-final and weeks before the two rivals met in the Champions League final. 

Jurgen Klopp, Dortmund’s boss at the time, was displeased by the timing, implying malicious intent from Bayern. 

Gotze, a beloved academy product and fan favourite, instantly became the most hated man in Dortmund. 

According to FourFourTwo: “Supporters held up banners saying 'Gotze out' and 'Gotze Judas', while a video of his BVB shirt being burned was posted on YouTube.

“There were also reports that his younger brother had to leave school early after he was taunted with "traitor" chants. Gotze returned to Dortmund in 2016.”

Despite his talent, Gotze struggled to meet expectations at Bayern consistently.

Benjamin Mendy’s time at Manchester City, despite a world-record fee for a defender, was marred by severe injuries, professionalism concerns and legal issues, leading to a complex severance. 

The Frenchman tore his ACL weeks after joining, sidelining him for seven months. Following his return from the layoff, Mendy’s professionalism was questioned when he arrived late for training after a boxing match. 

Subsequent knee surgeries kept him on the fringes of the team. His departure was largely caused by a suspension in September 2021 after being charged with multiple rape counts. 

Although he was later found not guilty and won a wages claim against City, his contract ended in 2023. 

Mendy, who has since played for Lorient and FC Zurich, is now a free agent.

The late Johan Cruyff's move from Ajax to Feyenoord in 1983 stands as a significant acrimonious departure in Dutch football. 

After a legendary career with Ajax, where he became an icon, Cruyff's decision to join their fierce rivals, Feyenoord, after a second spell with the Amsterdam giants was met with considerable controversy. 

This transfer was particularly bitter as it involved a player of Cruyff's stature moving directly between two of the Netherlands' most prominent clubs. 

The acrimony stemmed from the perceived betrayal of his long-standing loyalty to Ajax, as he chose to extend his career with a direct competitor, leading to strong reactions from fans and media alike.

However, Cruyff departed in anger as he was not offered a contract extension. The late Dutch forward would go on to win the Eredivisie title in the 1983-84 campaign. 

Roberto Baggio's transfer from Fiorentina to Juventus in the summer of 1990 sparked unprecedented urban riots in Florence, where 50 injuries were suffered, making it one of the most acrimonious departures in Italian football history. 

Baggio, who claimed he was forced to accept the transfer, had stolen supporters’ hearts during his five years at La Viola, and his sale to their bitter rivals devastated the passionate fans. 

The fury was so intense that club president Flavio Pontello was reportedly forced to take refuge in the besieged stadium. 

The acrimony continued when Baggio, playing for Juventus against Fiorentina, refused to take a penalty against his former club, fearing he could miss due to goalkeeper Gianmatteo Mareggini knowing all his tricks. 

He later picked up a Fiorentina scarf thrown by fans, signalling his affection despite their derision.

The late Eusebio's move to Benfica in the early 1960s was the culmination of a transfer battle that involved Sporting Lisbon and went all the way to Portugal's highest court. 

Eusebio, who played for Sporting's Mozambican satellite club, was caught in a dispute over his signing. Sporting disputed the legality of his transfer to Benfica, claiming they tried to take him as a junior player for free, while Benfica offered a contract and paid his family. 

The intense rivalry and legal wrangling over the late Portuguese football icon made his eventual arrival at Benfica, where he became a legend, a highly acrimonious and disputed affair for Sporting.

Sol Campbell's move from Tottenham Hotspur to Arsenal in 2001 is etched in North London football history as one of the most controversial transfers in Premier League history. 

As a beloved captain of the Lilywhites, his decision to join their bitter rivals on a free transfer led to an outpouring of anger and accusations of betrayal from Spurs fans. 

Campbell's choice to wear the Arsenal red, despite his deep roots and popularity at White Hart Lane, was seen as the ultimate act of disloyalty. 

Campbell’s highly publicised defection created a lasting rift between the former England international and the Spurs faithful, making his departure a symbol of intense rivalry and fan resentment.

Luis Figo's transfer from Barcelona to arch-rivals Real Madrid in 2000 remains one of football's most contentious and acrimonious moves. 

Despite being adored by Barcelona fans, Figo's decision to join Real Madrid for a staggering €60 million transfer fee ignited widespread fury among supporters and severely strained diplomatic relations between the two Spanish giants. 

The sight of Figo donning the white jersey of Real Madrid still evokes strong emotions among Barcelona faithful, symbolising a profound betrayal. 

Barca fans burned his picture upon his return to Camp Nou and hurled various objects at the Portuguese player during a 2002 match when he was taking corners, including a pig’s head.

That high-profile defection, driven by financial incentives and a desire for new challenges, transformed Figo from a beloved icon into a reviled figure in Catalonia, marking a bitter and unforgettable severance of ties.

A useful source for this article was FourFourTwo's 2023 article.