David de Gea's 'leadership and self-belief' a surprise to Pepe Reina as ex-Spain & Liverpool goalkeeper praises 'exceptional' Fiorentina shot stopper

Reina has lauded De Gea's successful return to football with Fiorentina, admitting he has been surprised by the "exceptional" form shown by his compatriot. Speaking to Radio Bruno, Reina praised the ex-United star's impact since he moved Serie A following a full season out of the game as a free agent.

Reina, who was speaking ahead of Fiorentina's match against his former club Como, expressed his admiration for how quickly De Gea has re-established himself as a top-tier goalkeeper. He highlighted the mental fortitude required to perform at such a high level after a significant break.

"Hats off to him, really," Reina said. "After a year of inactivity, I didn't expect him to return with such confidence, leadership, and self-belief. He was exceptional and brought the team many points. Last season, he was Fiorentina's most decisive player."

After his contract with United expired in the summer of 2023, De Gea spent the entire 2023-24 campaign without a club before signing for Fiorentina in August 2024. The 34-year-old has quickly become the undisputed number one for La Viola. So far in the 2025-26 season, he has started all three of Fiorentina's Serie A matches, keeping one clean sheet. Across all competitions, he has made five appearances, conceding six goals and recording two shutouts.

Having silenced any doubts about his ability to compete at the highest level, De Gea will look to build on his strong start in Florence. The Spaniard is contracted to the club until June 2028, providing him with long-term security. His immediate focus will be on maintaining his form and helping Fiorentina push for European qualification, having already established himself as one of the team's most important players. De Gea will now be seen in action for his club against Como this Sunday in a Serie A fixture.