15 best soccer moments of 2016

10. Gianluigi Donnarumma wins first cap for Italy at 17

Italy have a rich history when comes to producing great goalkeepers. In the 21st century, Juventus and Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has been regarded as the world’s best, winning several Serie A titles and the 2006 World Cup. Other greats to don the Azzuri shirt include Dino Zoff, who helped Italy win the 1982 World Cup, and Walter Zenga, who kept five clean sheets in the 1990 World Cup — a record that still stands today.

At 38, Buffon still has some playing years in him but 2016 brought some future assurance for the Italian national side in the form of youngster Gianluigi (must be something in the name) Donnarumma. The 17-year-old AC Milan goalkeeper won his first cap for Italy when he played against France in a 3-1 loss.

This made him the youngest goalkeeper to ever play for Italy. He’s also the second youngest keeper to make a start in Serie A history. When Buffon finally retires it seems Donnarumma will be his most likely successor, and at the age of 17 he could make that number 1 shirt his for a long time.

At 6 foot 5 it’s no surprise Donnarumma is a talented keeper, but his maturity at such a young age is impressive. Young players are often flustered in big occasions and take some time to get accustomed to playing at the highest level. Donnarumma has shown no signs of this in his 47 appearances for AC Milan and two for Italy. It’s unlikely the young keeper will leave Serie A but whether he’ll be an AC Milan player for much longer remains to be seen. Whatever happens, Donnarumma has the potential to be considered one of the greats.