Gianluigi Donnarumma during a match prior to joining Manchester City. Photo credit: Getty Images via ESPN.
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Manchester City officially confirms Gianluigi Donnarumma will wear No. 25 this season, contradicting earlier media speculation about the goalkeeper taking the rare No. 99 shirt number.
Donnarumma Assigned No. 25 at Man City Despite No. 99 Speculation in Media Reports
Manchester City has officially resolved the confusion surrounding Gianluigi Donnarumma’s shirt number, with the club’s official announcement confirming the Italian goalkeeper will wear No. 25 for the ongoing season. This confirmation directly contradicts earlier media reports from September 2nd suggesting Donnarumma would break Premier League tradition by taking the exceptionally rare No. 99.
The discrepancy emerged when multiple outlets reported Donnarumma’s potential selection of No. 99, a number that would have been unprecedented at Manchester City and rarely seen across Premier League history. However, these media reports lacked official club backing, relying instead on speculation rather than verified statements from Manchester City representatives.
Donnarumma’s assignment of No. 25 reflects practical squad management considerations, as Ederson currently occupies the traditional goalkeeper’s No. 1 shirt as City’s first-choice keeper. The Italian previously wore No. 99 during his time at Paris Saint-Germain before Ligue 1 regulations forced his switch to No. 1, though Premier League rules would not have prevented him from continuing with the unusual number.
Neither Donnarumma nor Manchester City officials have publicly addressed the reasons behind the media circulation of the No. 99 speculation, leaving the source of these reports unclear. The club’s official stance has taken precedence, with no contrasting statements emerging from key parties including the player himself or his representatives.
The situation highlights the importance of distinguishing between official club communications and speculative reporting in transfer-related matters. While mid-season shirt number changes remain possible under Premier League regulations, they are uncommon, making Manchester City’s official confirmation of No. 25 likely to stand for the remainder of the current campaign.
