DONNARUMMA VOWS ITALY WILL QUALIFY FOR 2026 WORLD CUP
Gianluigi Donnarumma reflects on Italy's loss to Norway but insists the team is focused on the future. After a 3-0 win over Israel, the Azzurri keeper is confident Italy will qualify for the 2026 World Cup via the playoffs
According to Gianluigi Donnarumma, he would definitely "feel affection" to go back in time and replay Italy's loss to Norway, but they must focus on the future. "I do not doubt that we will make it to the World Cup."
At the Stadio Friuli, the Azzurri defeated Israel 3-0, securing their play-off position with goals from Mateo Retegui and Gianluca Mancini's late attempt on a corner kick routine.
During last week's 3-1 triumph over Estonia in Tallinn, Donnarumma mishandled a straightforward cross, but last evening's two huge stops on Israeli counterattacks showed everyone why he is regarded as the best custodian in the world.
It is Italy that Donnarumma believes in.
Donnarumma told Sky Sport Italia, "Mistakes may happen; it is part of the game. Fortunately, we were 3-0 up when it happened."
"Thanks to the coach and my teammates, I was able to forget it right away." I gave this game my whole attention, and I am pleased with the team's performance. You do have to suffer for every point because every match is now complicated, and Israel caused us issues. I am happy that we were so focused on maintaining a clean sheet.
"I witnessed a strong team, with genuine tenacity from those who came off the bench as well. I am really pleased with the coach's work; he must get along with everyone, whether or not they are in the starting lineup.
The Nazionale scored 16 goals and gave up five goals in their four games under Gattuso's leadership, but four of those came in their strange 5–4 victory over Israel last month.
"He has this amazing persona that conveys his hunger, willpower, and perspective on football." We have only recently begun training with him, so we can continue to become better," Donnarumma, a Manchester City player, added. "He has a fantastic rapport with us all and wants to attack and dominate the game."
"We are prepared for November and the playoffs after that."
Under former coach Luciano Spalletti, Italy had wanted to advance straight to the 2026 World Cup, but they got off to a terrible start with a 3-0 loss in Norway.
A time machine would allow those who took part in that day to relive the entire event.
"You cannot lose a game right now, or you will be eliminated in the playoffs," I told the players earlier. We were everywhere, like a new team, so of course I would love to play that again," Donnarumma admitted.
We now have a significant opportunity, so we must look forward. This is a formidable squad, and I do not doubt that we will advance to the World Cup.
The goal differential is so great that Italy cannot pass Norway, even if they defeat them next month and finish tied for first place.
On November 21, the playoff draw will be held, and the opening match is set for March 2026.
CRISTIANO RONALDO PROTESTS AL-HILAL'S BENZEMA DEAL BY SKIPPING AL-NASSR LEAGUE MATCH
Cristiano Ronaldo is fuming. Discover why the Al-Nassr star skipped his last match and is now threatening to leave Saudi Arabia.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been the main attraction in the Saudi Pro League ever since he landed in the Middle East three years ago. Now, for the first time, it looks like he’s actually thinking about leaving. He’s frustrated. He feels the playing field isn’t level, and it’s starting to get to him.
Here’s the deal: Four clubs in the league—Al-Ittihad, Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal, and Al-Ahli—get their backing straight from the state. But Ronaldo sat out Al-Nassr’s match against Al-Riyadh on Monday night. Why? He was protesting. He found out Al-Hilal was about to sign Karim Benzema from Al-Ittihad, and that was the last straw. From Ronaldo’s perspective, Al-Hilal keeps getting more freedom to splash cash than everyone else. They’re the current champions, and Ronaldo still hasn’t managed to win his first Saudi title.
Saudi officials tried to calm him down. According to Diario AS, they reached out and argued that most of Al-Hilal’s extra spending comes from Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal, not the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Al-Hilal just brought in Kader Meite for €30 million, Saimon Bouabre for €23 million, and now Benzema. Al-Nassr, on the other hand, only managed two free transfers this winter. Sure, they spent a lot more in the summer, but that didn’t seem to matter to Ronaldo.
Reports from Portugal, cited by AS, say Ronaldo’s not ruling anything out—not even leaving Saudi Arabia this summer. That’s despite just signing an extension with Al-Nassr until 2027.
And honestly, he has a point. Since he arrived, Al-Hilal have spent €647 million, while Al-Nassr have shelled out €410 million and Al-Ittihad €365 million. These numbers probably don’t include salaries—and let’s face it, nobody’s making more than Ronaldo. He’s supposed to return on Friday when Al-Nassr face Al-Ittihad, but right now, no one really knows if he’ll play or if he’s planning his next move.
N’GOLO KANTE SKIPS TRAINING AS AL-ITTIHAD BLOCK HIS MOVE TO FENERBAHCE OFFICIALLY
N’Golo Kante has gone on strike at Al-Ittihad after a paperwork error blocked his move to Fenerbahce. Can he still sign by Friday?
N’Golo Kanté didn’t show up for Al-Ittihad training on Tuesday, and it’s not hard to see why. He was all set to head to Fenerbahçe, but the deal fell apart at the last minute—apparently because Al-Ittihad messed up some paperwork. Kante was supposed to fly to Istanbul and sign, but thanks to this administrative slip, he’s stuck in limbo. There’s still a shot at reviving the transfer sinceKanté Turkey’s transfer window stays open until Friday, February 6.
Kante was one of the first big European names to jump to the Saudi Pro League, joining Al-Ittihad in 2023 after seven years with Chelsea. He’s been a key player in Jeddah, helping Al-Ittihad win the 2024-25 league title and the King’s Cup.
Then, in the middle of the January window, word got out that Fenerbahce wanted him. The Turkish club were eager to add a World Cup winner to their squad. The plan was to swap Kante for Youssef En-Nesyri, who’d head to Saudi Arabia. Everything seemed set until deadline day, when news broke that an error by Al-Ittihad in the Transfer Matching System stopped the transfer cold.
Fenerbahce didn’t hold back. They blamed Al-Ittihad directly, saying they’d done everything right: agreements with the players, medicals, paperwork, all wrapped up on time. But Al-Ittihad entered something wrong in the system, and that was that. Fenerbahçe even asked for an extension and reached out to FIFA, but nothing moved. In the end, the deal died, and Fenerbahçe put out a statement saying they understood the frustration and would keep working to strengthen the squad.
Meanwhile, Kante’s making his feelings clear. According to Ben Jacobs, he skipped training on Tuesday, still hoping the move to Fenerbahce can happen. Santi Aouna says talks between the clubs aren’t dead yet. L’Equipe is reporting that Kanté doesn’t want to play for Al-Ittihad while he waits for FIFA’s decision. With the Turkish window open until Friday, there’s still a glimmer of hope for Kante, though En-Nesyri’s move is off the table for now.