Former Juventus goalkeeper Stefano Tacconi has been discharged from hospital 18 months after suffering a cerebral haemorrhage.
The 66-year-old, who won a number of major honours during his time with the Old Lady including two Scudetti and the UEFA Cup, suffered the life-threatening condition back in April 2022. He spent a few weeks in intensive care before continuing his recovery in another ward.
Tacconi returned to hospital on June 21 and has been under the close eye of doctors since, carefully managing his condition and working to restore his health.
As reported by ANSA, Tacconi was discharged from the Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza hospital in San Giovanni Rotondo on Saturday, taking a key step forward in his recovery.
Before leaving the hospital, he met and thanked all of the staff of the Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine unit, expressing his appreciation to doctors, nurses, physiotherapists and healthcare personnel.
Head physician Domenico Intiso spoke highly about Tacconi, praising his resilience and kindness.
“Stefano is a strong man, he faced the rehabilitation process with such tenacity. He was a motivating force and an example for others and the results were visible.”
Michele Gravina, a physiatrist who worked closely with the former Juventus goalkeeper, also discussed his strong qualities.
“He always took kindly to the fact that many people approached him for photos with him or to have a chat. This human side of him has continued to improve over time.
“I joked a lot with him about our different football faiths. He always told me with a smile: ‘For me, being a Juventus player, an Inter doctor should have happened to me’.”
Laura Speranza, Tacconi’s wife, thanked all the staff of the Casa Sollievo hospital for their care and support, providing an update on the next steps.
“I thank everyone, the doctors, the physiotherapists, the nurses, the socio-health workers and the religious staff who have always been close to us. Stefano will return home to Milan where he will continue his rehabilitation.
“But he returns with a great emotional and physical charge. In San Giovanni Rotondo we truly found a world of emotions, of help, of strength.
“Both on the part of science and on the part of faith, with Padre Pio, to whom, as you know, we have always been very devoted. Let’s return to Milan with all this in our hearts and minds.”