Vicario’s first president: ‘Tottenham’s win just the beginning, he’s as good as Donnarumma’ | OneFootball

The president of Guglielmo Vicario’s first club guaranteed he already had ‘the ambition’ to reach the biggest stages when he was taking his first steps in football.

Born in Udine, the goalkeeper started playing for various clubs in his city’s province, including Ancona Udine, who would later change their name to Ancona Lumignacco after merging with another team.

BILBAO, SPAIN – MAY 21: (EDITOR’S NOTE: Image was captured using a remote camera from behind the goal.) Guglielmo Vicario of Tottenham Hotspur saves a header from Luke Shaw of Manchester United as Micky van de Ven of Tottenham Hotspur and Casemiro of Manchester United look on during the UEFA Europa League Final 2025 between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at Estadio de San Mames on May 21, 2025 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

The club now plays in the Italian sixth tier, but its president, Vincenzo Pisacane, remains unchanged and still recalls the Tottenham starlet as a very determined guy.

Vicario’s first president claims Tottenham star is ‘on the same level as Donnarumma’

“It’s hard to say at that age, but I can tell you that Vicario always had the ambition,” Pisacane told Tuttomercatoweb in the wake of Tottenham’s Europa League win over Manchester United, which saw the goalkeeper play a key role in his side’s victory.

“He was never just passing through—he was a young goalkeeper determined to fulfil his dream of becoming a professional.

“From Ancona Udine he moved to Udinese, who didn’t keep him and instead sent him on loan to Fontanafredda, and then to Venezia. The rest is history.”

Pisacane went on to congratulate Vicario and his club for the achievement, suggesting he expects the goalkeeper to rack up plenty of success throughout his career.

“The Europa League is just the beginning,” Pisacane added.

BILBAO, SPAIN – MAY 21: Rasmus Hojlund of Manchester United runs with the ball whilst under pressure from Destiny Udogie and Guglielmo Vicario of Tottenham Hotspur during the UEFA Europa League Final 2025 between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at Estadio de San Mames on May 21, 2025 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

“Congratulations to Vicario and Tottenham, who brought a trophy back to Spurs after nearly 20 years, playing toe-to-toe with a powerhouse like Manchester United.

“Last night’s match was truly a great game, and in a small way, it also rewarded the youth development work we do here at Ancona Lumignacco, where we currently have 400 kids and 18 teams.”

Pisacane was then asked whether he would rank Vicario among the top five goalkeepers in the world at the moment.

“Absolutely, yes,” he said.

“If we’re talking about Italian goalkeepers, I’d say he’s in the top three. Guglielmo is definitely on the same level as Donnarumma from PSG or Carnesecchi from Atalanta.

“We’re lucky—our national team can now rely on some truly top-class goalkeepers.”