Real Madrid’s star goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois, has stepped in to defend PSG’s Gigio Donnarumma after the latter came under fire from Bayern Munich’s Manuel Neuer following a controversial collision that left Jamal Musiala sidelined.
The incident occurred during the Club World Cup quarterfinal clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich, which saw the French side emerge victorious.
Musiala sustained an injury during first-half stoppage time after a heavy collision inside PSG’s box. As the 22-year-old charged in to contest the ball with defender William Pacho, PSG goalkeeper Donnarumma dove to smother the ball and accidentally rolled over Musiala’s left leg, causing it to twist awkwardly and raising immediate concern.
The match was overshadowed by a distressing injury to Musiala, who suffered a fractured fibula and a dislocated ankle after a coming together with Donnarumma.
In the aftermath, Bayern’s veteran shot-stopper Neuer sharply criticized Donnarumma for his role in the challenge.
“It was a situation where you don’t have to go in like that. That’s risk-taking. He was prepared to accept the risk of injuring his opponent,” Neuer said
However, Courtois, speaking after Real Madrid’s quarterfinal triumph over Borussia Dortmund, pushed back against that narrative.
“Accusing Donnarumma for Musiala’s injury seems excessive to me,” Courtois said. “Goalkeepers go and get the ball. The attackers don’t hold back when they come at us either. It’s a stroke of luck. It will hurt him (Neuer) even more because he’s a teammate, but Donnarumma is not responsible.”
With Musiala now facing an extended period on the sidelines, the debate over accountability in high-impact moments between attackers and goalkeepers has reignited among players and fans alike.