Ball boy who stole Donnarumma's penalty cheat sheet to auction note for charity
The Bosnian ball boy who famously stole Gianluigi Donnarumma's penalty shootout notes during a crucial World Cup qualifier in 2026 has been tracked down and plans to auction the item for charity. Afan Čizmić, who was 14 years old at the time of the incident, admitted his role in an interview with Bosnian broadcaster FACE TV, confirming a long-standing anecdote from Italy's traumatic elimination.
During the qualifying playoff in Zenica, Donnarumma had prepared a small cheat sheet detailing the penalty-taking habits of Bosnia and Herzegovina's players, which he kept near his towel. Čizmić told FACE TV that he spotted the note, recognized its purpose, and took it. "I saw something by the towel and knew what it was. I took it and hid it—inside was all the information," he said. The goalkeeper reportedly searched for the missing note in vain, a distraction that preceded a shootout where he failed to make a single save as Italy crashed out.
The incident has turned Čizmić into a minor celebrity in his home country. He has been interviewed by multiple national media outlets and was even invited by a broadcaster to follow the Bosnian national team. He now possesses the physical note, which he displays proudly during interviews. According to his statements, the decision has been made to sell the unique piece of football memorabilia at auction, with all proceeds destined for charitable causes. "We have decided to donate the profits to a charity," Čizmić clarified.
The match, played in March 2026, ended 1-1 after extra time before Bosnia and Herzegovina triumphed 3-0 in the penalty shootout. Italy's failure to qualify for the World Cup, a tournament they had won four years prior in 2022, marked a profound low for the Azzurri. Donnarumma, who was the hero of their 2022 final victory, faced intense scrutiny for his role in the elimination, though the story of the stolen cheat sheet added a bizarre and humanizing layer to the defeat.
For Bosnia and Herzegovina, the victory was historic, securing their place at the 2026 World Cup. The tale of the ball boy's intervention has become a cherished part of that folklore. The upcoming auction will likely attract significant interest from collectors of football history and unusual sports artifacts. The episode remains a poignant footnote in the careers of both Donnarumma and the young fan whose actions inadvertently influenced a nation's footballing destiny.
