Key Points
- Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma visited Sul Lago in Oldham, an Italian restaurant, Greater Manchester.
- The restaurant said it was a pleasure to host Donnarumma and shared that he visited “last night.”
- Sul Lago is a family-run Italian restaurant overlooking Crime Lake near Daisy Nook country park.
- The restaurant is headed by owner and chef Aldo Lucci, who, like Donnarumma, is from Naples.
- Donnarumma was reportedly served dishes from the restaurant’s “secret menu”, including salsiccia e friarielli tipica, a traditional Neapolitan sausage and broccoli dish.
- The visit links a Premier League player with a venue that has been described as a long-time hotspot for footballers. [user-provided text]
Oldham (Manchester Mirror)May 09, 2026 – Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma paid a visit to Sul Lago, the family-run Italian restaurant in Oldham that has become a familiar stop for footballers over the years.
What happened at Sul Lago?
As reported by Sul Lago Restaurant on social media, the venue said it was “a pleasure to host Gianluigi Donnarumma” and thanked him with the message “good food brings people together.” The restaurant post did not provide a detailed account of the visit, but it confirmed that the player had been hosted at the restaurant.
Who runs the restaurant?
Sul Lago is owned and run by Aldo Lucci, who has built the restaurant’s identity around Italian cooking and a scenic location beside Crime Lake, near Daisy Nook country park. The user-provided account of the visit said Lucci and Donnarumma share a Naples connection, which added a personal touch to the meeting. [user-provided text]
What did Donnarumma eat?
The visit reportedly included dishes from Sul Lago’s “secret menu”, with Aldo Lucci cooking up a traditional Neapolitan plate of salsiccia e friarielli tipica for the Manchester City player. [user-provided text] The dish is commonly associated with Naples and combines Italian sausage with friarielli, a type of leafy green often translated as broccoli rabe.
Why does the restaurant matter?
Sul Lago has menu listings, delivery details, and a public profile that identify it as an Italian restaurant serving the Greater Manchester area, and it has been associated with football visitors for some time. The location, with views across Crime Lake, gives the restaurant a distinctive setting compared with a standard city-centre dining spot.
How does this fit the football link?
Donnarumma is one of the most recognisable Italian goalkeepers in modern football and currently plays for Manchester City. A visit to a well-known Italian restaurant in Oldham reinforces the local connection between Premier League footballers and family-run hospitality venues in Greater Manchester.
Background of this development
Sul Lago’s public profile suggests it has developed a reputation beyond everyday dining, with football-related visits helping to build its visibility. The restaurant’s Italian identity, Neapolitan influences, and location in Oldham have made it a notable spot for players and supporters alike.
Prediction: how could this affect Manchester audiences?
For Manchester readers, the visit is likely to increase local interest in Sul Lago and in other independent Italian restaurants that attract footballers and celebrity diners. It may also strengthen the restaurant’s appeal among City supporters and food readers looking for a venue with a football link. For the wider Oldham and Greater Manchester audience, the story can help reinforce the area’s image as a place where sport, food, and local business intersect.
