At 17 I was mainly playing Football Manager, eating pizza and listening to Blink 182. At the same age Gianluigi Donnarumma is one of the world's most sought after goalkeepers in world football but he's mature enough to know he's still got to improve and there's one keeper he'd like to be more like.
Admittedly that initial comparison is a bit harsh on myself because at 17 that's what a lot of people are doing and to be honest 12 years on I've not really changed much. The AC Milan number one on the other hand can only improve between now and 2029 and that's quite scary.
At the age of just 16 years and 242 days Donnarumma made his first team debut in October 2015 and has just grown into Milan's number one and one of the best goalkeepers in the world despite the fact he won't turn 18 until the end of February.
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However the Italian knows that he's far from perfect and needs to improve, impressive humility for someone so young who is getting praised so much. Speaking to Milan TV, via Football Italia, he revealed that he wants to learn from Manuel Neuer's use of his feet:
"I have done better than last year with the ball at my feet, working hard on that in training. When the opponent runs at me, I can sometimes dribble away. Being good with your feet is important in modern football. I try to imitate Manuel Neuer, who practically acts as the fifth defender when starting moves."
The German World Cup winner has become synonymous with the "sweeper keeper" role. He is as well known for his ability to come off his line and start attacks for Bayern Munich as he has his ability as a shot stopper.
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Improving his skills with his feet will certainly prick the ears of Pep Guardiola should the Manchester City manager decide that he'd like to replace Claudio Bravo, Donnarumma is certainly a better goalie than the Etihad's current number one.
Check out Donnarumma's training skills:
The AC Milan goalie is expected to replace Gianluigi Buffon as the national team number one in the near future and has also been linked with a move to Juventus as the legendary keeper's eventual replacement.
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This weekend Milan take on Napoli, the city of Donnarumma's birth, and the teenager is looking forward to facing them saying, "My parents will be in the stadium. Facing Napoli is always an emotional moment for me. There are many Milan fans in my neck of the woods and I love to make them proud, including my family, who support Milan."
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