Former AC Milan goalkeeper Dida has high hopes for the future that awaits Gianluigi Donnarumma and believes he can outclass his own career.
Donnarumma made his debut for the Italian national side at just 17-years-old during their 3-1 loss to France on Thursday night, coming on at half-time to replace Gianluigi Buffon; a player who made his own Azzurri debut 16 months before Donnarumma’s birth.
“I see myself in Donnarumma and I think he will do better than me,” Dida told Mediaset.
“He is very talented and I think he can do even more with Milan than I did because he is so young.
“He has already proven his worth and I think he will continue to grow.”
Brazilian legend Dida played for the Rossoneri between 2000 and 2010, winning a Serie A title and two Champions League titles among other achievements.
Donnarumma has stolen the number one spot at Milan from Spaniard Diego Lopez, who left to join Espanyol on loan this summer as a result.