Football can be cruel. Imagine your son keeping a clean sheet against the club you have supported all your life.
For Italian Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, Wednesday night’s Champions League clash against Napoli carried that exact emotional weight.
Napoli is the team his mother, Marinella Donnarumma has passionately followed for years.
Out of principle, Mrs Donnarumma did not attend the match at the Diego Maradona Stadium. The occasion felt too conflicted. A battle between blood and loyalty.
“I’m leaving Mum at home. I’m very attached to the city, I have many friends on and off the team, but I play for City and I hope to win this match. Mum will get over it.”
Her son, however, showed no such hesitation. Donnarumma produced a commanding display, shutting out Napoli and denying his mother’s beloved side a chance between the two posts.
Clearly however the son did not return the favour.
The £26 million (€30m/$35m) signing has arrived on the back of a historic campaign with Paris Saint-Germain.
The Italian was perhaps the best goalkeeper in the Champions League, as his heroics went a long way in helping Les Parisiens capture their maiden European title.
