Francesco Acerbi, Angel Wings of Cancer Survivor

Veteran Inter Milan defender, Francesco Acerbi (37), has captured the world's attention. During the Champions League semifinal match against Barcelona at San Siro, Milan, Italy, on Wednesday (7/5/2025), he extended his team's hopes. Acting as an impromptu striker, Acerbi scored a goal in the stoppage time, at 90+3 minutes.

When celebrating his first goal in the Champions League, Acerbi was very emotional. He took off his shirt. A photo from behind as he jumped showed a wing tattoo on his back. Acerbi was like a guardian angel for Inter.

The goal boosted the spirits of the Inter players. Ultimately, the decisive goal was scored by Davide Frattesi in the 99th minute. Inter won with an aggregate score of 7-6. The "Nerazurri," as Inter is nicknamed, advanced to the final. The championship contender, Barcelona, returned home empty-handed.

Acerbi was indeed not the best player in that match. Goalkeeper Yann Sommer, who repeatedly saved the goal, was deemed more deserving. However, Acerbi is still considered inspiring. His life story is once again being discussed by football enthusiasts.

He was once considered the future of Italy, but then fell into depression. His life was once swept away in parties rather than on the football field. Acerbi is also a two-time cancer survivor whose career has shone in his twilight years.

Acerbi grew up a supporter of Inter's city rivals AC Milan. He claims to be part of the Fossa dei Leoni, a Milan ultras group.

Nurturing his dream of joining his ideal team, Acerbi began his professional contract in the fourth division with Pavia. At that time, he was around 20 years old. He then joined Reggina in Serie B two years later.

A year later, at the age of 23, he played his first Serie A match for Chievo Verona. There, his performance began to attract the attention of major teams.

An offer came from his idol club, AC Milan. At that time, Milan needed a replacement for Alessandro Nesta. He agreed to join in 2012. Acerbi even chose the number 13. That number is the same as Nesta's. He dedicated all his achievements to his father, Roberto.

"I do it for my father, not for myself. We have a love-hate relationship. He constantly challenges me," said Acerbi.

However, in the same year, Acerbi also lost motivation. For a long time, Roberto had a weak heart. He survived seven strokes but passed away four months before Acerbi signed a contract with Milan.

This situation caused Acerbi to struggle when he joined Milan. Acerbi preferred partying over training. He could drink anything and arrive at the training camp in a drunken state. Acerbi even seriously considered quitting football.

"Since that time, everything worsened. I was arrogant. Until finally, I was diagnosed with cancer," said Acerbi, who moved to Sassuolo in 2013 after joining Genoa and was briefly loaned to Chievo.

In July 2013, during a preseason medical examination with Sassuolo, Acerbi was diagnosed with testicular cancer. The tumor was removed. However, shortly thereafter, the tumor reappeared. As a result, Acerbi was forced to undergo chemotherapy for three months.

"It is impossible not to be afraid. However, perhaps without fear, I would have certainly retired. In the end, through dreams, it feels like there are my father and God helping to encourage me to become better. Alright, I will face it (cancer treatment), like a football match," he stated.

A new life began. All his nightlife changed to a healthy lifestyle. After training, he went home. His life began without alcohol, just water, vegetables, fruits, rice, and bresaola. Bresaola is air-aged beef, a typical Italian snack.

"Cancer saved my life. Without cancer, I would have retired at the age of 28. Cancer gave me a second chance," said Acerbi.

Sassuolo also helps him to improve. He always receives support for various matters, including engaging in social activities that soothe his heart.

Acerbi, for instance, can spend hours with individuals with disabilities and children suffering from cancer. Almost every Thursday morning, he wears work clothes, assembles fishing floats, and creates models from clay with disabled workers.

“They helped me see life from the right perspective,” he said.

His social habits were even carried over when he moved to Lazio in 2018 at the age of 30. This admirer of Karol Wojtyla, Pope John Paul II, still regularly visits sick children.

His WhatsApp profile picture is a photo of him with Elia, a little boy who did not survive cancer. "He was my lion, he passed away while fighting," wrote Acerbi.

The lion is a symbol for him. There is a tattoo of a lion on his chest. On his right arm is written "Leone" or lion in Italian.

When his life improved, Acerbi's career began to shine. At an older age, he started collecting trophies with Lazio. Acerbi contributed to winning the Coppa Italia in the 2018-2019 season and the Supercoppa Italiana in the 2019-2020 season.

His dream of joining the Italian national team has also come true. He even became part of the European champions in 2020 in 2021. Under the guidance of Roberto Mancini, Acerbi served as a backup for the main defenders Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci.

When Simone Inzaghi, his coach at Lazio, moved to Inter, Acerbi returned to the city of Milan in 2022. However, his status remained a loan with an option for a permanent contract a year later.

Not missing the opportunity, Acerbi became a champion. Inter was brought to seize the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italia in the 2022-2023 season. That year, Acerbi was close to winning his first Champions League trophy.

In the final match, Inter faced Manchester City. In that game, the task was heavy. Acerbi had to guard the rising young striker, Erling Haaland.

Acerbi successfully fulfilled his duty. The age difference of 13 years between the two was not an issue. Haaland failed to score.

However, City emerged as the champion. The defensive midfielder and the best player according to the Ballon d'Or 2024, Rodri, scored the only goal in the match.

Despite failing, Inter still does not want to overlook Acerbi. In the 2023-2024 season, he permanently became a part of the "Nerazzurri" team. In that season, for the first time, Acerbi became the champion of Serie A. He also once again contributed to winning the Supercoppa Italiana in the same year.

Now, the dream of winning its first Champions League trophy is once again within reach. Inter, one of the teams with the oldest average player age, will face Paris Saint-Germain, which is filled with young talents, in the final in Germany on June 1, 2025.

His partnership with Alessandro Bastoni will face the collective play of the team coached by Luis Enrique. There is no Haaland who is strong in the air, but Acerbi's feet must match the speed of Ousmane Dembele, who has scored eight goals in the Champions League this season.

Whatever the outcome may be, Acerbi is an example of a footballer who is reluctant to give up. He has faced many challenges, which he has turned into valuable lessons for a longer and bolder life. (Gazzetta Dello Sports/Guardian)

Biodata

Name: Francesco Acerbi

Born: Vizzolo Predabissi, Italy, February 10, 1988