Donnarumma (Super Stoppers)

I’ll admit: I approached this expecting a by-the-numbers sports bio, but *Donnarumma (Super Stoppers)* surprised me with its depth. The book’s strongest moments come when it peels back the curtain on the *loneliness* of being a goalkeeper—how Donnarumma’s towering frame (6’5” at 16!) made him a target for both praise and ridicule, and how he learned to tune out the noise. Oldfield’s writing excels in these intimate scenes, like when he describes Donnarumma’s pre-match rituals or his father’s pep talks after a bad game. That said, the early chapters rush through his childhood a bit too quickly; I wanted more texture about his family’s role in his development beyond the usual “supportive parents” trope. Alex Wingfield’s narration is a home run. His Italian pronunciation is crisp (no cringe-worthy missteps on “Gigio” or “Milan”), and he nails the emotional beats—whether it’s the awe in his voice during Donnarumma’s debut or the tension during the Euro 2020 shootout. The production team deserves credit, too: subtle sound design (the *thwack* of a saved penalty, murmurs of stadium crowds) enhances the listening experience without distracting. My only gripe? The pacing drags slightly during the tactical breakdowns of his playing style. Unless you’re a budding goalkeeper, the Xs-and-Os sections might test your attention span. Still, for its target audience (ages 8–12, but honestly, any football fan), this is a vivid, inspiring listen that avoids the pitfalls of hero worship. It’s less about worshipping Donnarumma and more about understanding what it takes to *be* him—flaws, fears, and all.