Gianluigi Donnarumma named EURO 2020 Player of the Tournament

European Championship winning goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was named UEFA EURO 2020 Player of the Tournament.

The Italian was chosen as the winner by UEFA’s team of Technical Observers at Euros which included Packie Bonner (recently installed as an independent director at the FAI) and Robbie Keane (who is currently on the FAI payroll but without an active role in the organisation).

The 22-year-old ‘keeper played a crucial part in the Azzuri claiming the European crown – making two saves in Sunday’s penalty shoot-out win over England in Wembley after the match ended 1-1 after extra-time.

The Italian side didn’t concede a goal in the group stages going more than 1,000 minutes before letting in a goal for the first time in the last 16 win over Austria.   

He also made a shootout save in the semi-final as Italy progressed at the expense of Spain.

UEFA’s technical committee took performances throughout the tournament – both individually and as part of the team – when picking the winner with the ‘player’s impact on his team’s performances, as well as playing with a positive attitude and with RESPECT, are also taken into account.’

Previous Player of the Tournament winners:

1996 - Matthias Sammer (Germany)
2000 - Zinédine Zidane (France)
2004 - Theodoros Zagorakis (Greece)
2008 - Xavi Hernández (Spain)
2012 - Andrés Iniesta (Spain)
2016 - Antoine Griezmann (France)

UEFA’s Technical Observers:

Packie Bonner, Esteban Cambiasso, Fabio Capello, Cosmin Contra, Corinne Diacre, Jean-François Domergue, Dušan Fitzel, Steffen Freund, Frans Hoek, Aitor Karanka, Robbie Keane, Ginés Meléndez, David Moyes, Mixu Paatelainen, Peter Rudbæk, Willi Ruttensteiner

3 clean sheets, 9 saves
Semi-finals penalty shoot-out hero
Final penalty shoot-out hero

UEFA's team of Technical Observers have named Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma as their Player of the Tournament #EURO2020 | #ITApic.twitter.com/HWGnaHLGkK

— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) July 11, 2021