Gianluigi Donnarumma primed for hostile Milan return in UEFA Nations League

Gianluigi Donnarumma is primed for a hostile return to Milan, as Italy face Spain in Wednesday night's Nations League semi-final.

Donnarumma left his boyhood club over the summer on a free transfer to join Paris Saint-Germain this summer.

The Italian No.1 had been stuck in prolonged and uncivil contract talks as his club sort to keep ahold of him.

Donnarumma became Milan's first-team keeper aged only 16, and his career went only upwards from there culminating in a dominant performance for a victorious Italy at this year's Euro 2020 championship.

However, all of this was not enough to keep him at Milan, as the club refused to meet his massive wage demands.

This was not the first time Donnarumma had clashed with his club over contract demands.

The Milan ultras made Donnarumma cry more than once ( Image:

Icon Sport via Getty Images)

The first, and only, contract he ever signed with Milan followed some intense negotiations that led to the keeper threatening to walk.

Contract talks collapsed a second time round and eventually Donnarumma would leave with PSG willing to meet his £10.3million a year demands.

Despite being a youth product of Milan, the way in which he left the club angered a lot of fans.

This was far from the first time he had angered the Rossoneri fans, with his conduct after a 3-0 loss to Lazio, talking to opposite number Pepe Reina before swapping shirts, having earned him a visit from ultras.

It is reported they left him in tears after demanding he not play unless he intended to sign a new deal.

When he was 18-years-old, during his first contractual dispute, Milan fans unfurled a banner reading: "Moral violence, 6 million per year and you're a parasite brother? Now go away, the patience is over".

During those negotiations, fans hurled abuse at him in a game for Italy's U21 side and waved wads of cash at him.

A banner signed by Milan ultras, reads: "Donnarumma piece of s***. You will never be welcome in Milano again."

All of that history comes to a head as Donnarumma returns to Milan for the first time since his departure for an international game for Italy.

The keeper has begged Milan supporters not to boo him on his San Siro return.

However, a banner has already appeared over a bridge signed by Milan ultras.

It reads: "Donnarumma, piece of ****. You will never be welcome in Milano again."

Donnarumma and Italy are facing a Nations League semi-final against Spain, a rematch of the Euro 2020 semi-final that saw Italy win on penalties.

Roberto Mancini's champions are defending a 37-game unbeaten record and whoever wins will face Belgium or France in the final.

Ahead of the game, the Italian boss said: "Spain were the team we struggled against most during Euro 2020.

"They are a good team with good players. It will be a good match."

Italy will still be without Leonardo Spinazzola with Ciro Immobile out as well, opening up spots for Moise Kean to possibly start and Emerson to full in left-back.

Spain are without a number of key talents including Pedri, Dani Olmo, Alvaro Morata, Thiago Alacantara, Adama Traore, Marcos Llorente, Diego Llorente and Jordi Alba.