Ousmane Dembele has declared Gianluigi Donnarumma as the best goalkeeper in the world ahead of Wednesday's UEFA Champions League meeting between Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City.
Gianluigi Donnarumma will line up in goal for Man City against his former club PSG on Wednesday.More Videos
Dembele, 29, is set to face his former team-mate when Paris Saint-Germain travel to the Etihad Stadium for the league-phase fixture, in which the French side arrive as reigning European champions.
Donnarumma left PSG for Manchester City and now stands as one of the four members of Enzo Maresca's captaincy group for the 2026/27 season, alongside Ruben Dias, Erling Haaland and Marc Guehi.
Manchester City enter the midweek clash of the titans following a 3-0 win over Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, a result that kept them top of the Premier League and perfect in the league this season. Donnarumma made two saves early in the first-half before Haaland, Jeremy Doku and Rayan Cherki scored in the second-half in Merseyside.
'Exceptional' Donnarumma can change an entire team with his saves, says Ballon d'Or holder Dembele
Previewing PSG's test against Manchester City in a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, Dembele said: "A big game. Very good team, very good coach [Enzo Maresca]. It won't be easy but we'll be well prepared.
"We'll try take all three points. It's not decisive but it's one we want to win. We know what to expect. Manchester City are one of the top teams, a flying start in the Premier League and UEFA Champions League."
Asked about his former Paris teammate Donnarumma, the Ballon d'Or holder added: "I've got a really excellent relationship and memory of Gigio. He's the number one in the world. Exceptional goalkeeper.
"I wasn't able to attend his wedding in the summer but we exchanged messages. He's a great friend and great goalkeeper. He can change an entire team with his saves.
"I missed a chance against him when we [France] played Italy and he made fun of me a little. He's a wonderful goalkeeper and he showed that even before he came to PSG."
What is the wider context of Dembele's comments?
The meeting at the Etihad Stadium comes in the middle of a difficult period off the pitch for Manchester City, after an independent commission found the club guilty on 114 of 115 charges of breaching the Premier League's financial rules between 2009/10 and 2017/18. The club have declared their innocence and lodged a comprehensive appeal.
Dembele's description of City's start to the season as "a flying start" matches their league record, with five wins from five before the international break and a further win at Anfield. Maresca, whom Dembele described as a very good coach, took charge of Manchester City in June following the departure of Pep Guardiola.
City's squad has changed considerably over the summer, with Rodri leaving for Barcelona, Bernardo Silva joining Real Madrid and Tijjani Reijnders moving to Saudi Arabia, while Elliot Anderson and Enzo Fernandez arrived in midfield. Donnarumma is one of the players who has remained at the heart of the group through that period of change.