Gianluigi Donnarumma confessed that he cried after missing out on another World Cup, underlining his determination to "bring Italy back where it deserves to be".
What happened?
Italy was beaten by Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday night after a penalty shootout, with Donnarumma unable to stop a single spot kick.
The Italians lost 4-1, despite taking the lead early on, and went down to 10 men before Bosnia equalised in the second-half.
Why it matters for Gianluigi Donnarumma
Donnarumma remains one of Italy's leading lights, but despite making his Italy debut at 16, he will now not play in a World Cup until he is at least 31.
The Manchester City goalkeeper wrote on Instagram: "Last night, after the match, I cried."
What comes next?
Donnarumma's emotional statement shows his commitment to the Italian national team, and he vows to find the courage to turn the page and move forward.
Italy are four-time winners of the World Cup, but have failed to even compete on the global stage for several years.
The head of the Italian Football Federation, Gabriele Gravina, told reporters he had asked Gennaro Gattuso to stay, but Gattuso claimed that "was not important" after their qualification failure.
Donnarumma was named the Player of the Tournament as Italy claimed glory at Euro 2020, beating England in the final on penalties, on July 11, 2021.
Italy's failure to qualify for the World Cup is a huge disappointment, and Donnarumma's statement reflects the sadness and frustration felt by the team and fans.
Donnarumma's determination to bring Italy back to its deserved place is a testament to his passion and commitment to the sport.
The Italian national team will have to regroup and refocus for future tournaments, with Donnarumma leading the charge.