Inter and Italy defender Francesco Acerbi remembers when he was first diagnosed with cancer and why Antonio Conte gave him exactly the message he needed to hear.
The centre-back was at the time playing for Sassuolo in 2013 when irregular blood tests in pre-season training led to further investigations and the diagnosis of testicular cancer.
He underwent treatment, it returned, and he needed more aggressive medical intervention to finally beat it back.
This weekend, all Serie A games start with an appeal to donate money to cancer research and nobody is better placed to talk about how important that is than Acerbi.
“In 2013 I was diagnosed with cancer and tests showed a tumour. I felt a little agitated and didn’t know what I was getting into,” explained Acerbi in a video he published on social media.
“Donating is so important because you might be able to contribute to a turning point in research, to be part of saving lives.”
Acerbi was outside of the Italy team for some time before the cancer and reveals what then-coach Conte told him when receiving the recall for international duty.
“Conte said to me: ‘I want to congratulate you for the courage you showed in facing up to your illness. However, I want to tell you that I called you up because you deserved it on the field of play, and not as some reward for overcoming this illness. Remember, I don’t give anyone special treatment.’
Cancer strikes circa 1,000 people every day in Italy alone. I know full well what it means to receive that diagnosis, because I received it in 2013.
“If I am today back to playing football thanks to the research and the doctors who helped me. This is why I invite you to be part of the team with 6,000 AIRC Italia researchers and score many goals for research by donating.”
It was a mess how Acerbi left Lazio , caused a gap in the team , Acerbi not forgiven by the Curva Nord whilst Immobile appears on Rupaul!?