Inter Milan Star Opens Up About Major Career Setback and Sends Hint To Gennaro Gattuso Over International Call-Up

Inter Milan star, Francesco Acerbi, has opened up about his battle with cancer and hinted towards a return to the Italy team under Gennaro Gattuso.

What Did Francesco Acerbi Say About Battle With Cancer?

Francesco Acerbi has become a household name for the Nerazzurri since signing on loan in September 2022, before completing a permanent move in July 2023.

During his time in Milan, the Italian has made 126 appearances for Inter, while winning two Supercoppa Italian trophies, Serie A title and Coppa Italia.

The veteran defender played a vital role in Inter Milan’s run to the Champions League final last season, scoring a late equalizer against Barcelona in a semi-final that was heavily influenced by the Nerazzurri back-line.

Denzel Dumfries contributed to five goals across both legs, including an assist for Acerbi’s 93rd minute strike and the Dutchman has been linked with an exit in 2026.

Acerbi has started in each of Inter’s opening four Serie A matches under Cristian Chivu this season, as the Italian continues to be a pivotal member at the San Siro.

Prior to his move to Milan, the 37-year-old played for a host of Serie A sides, including Lazio, Sassuolo and fierce rivals, AC Milan, as his career took a host of twists and turns.

The Italian’s biggest career set-back came in July 2013 during Acerbi’s time with Sassuolo, as the defender was diagnosed with testicular cancer – which returned in the following December.

Acerbi would go on to have the necessary treatment, eventually winning his battle against cancer and has continued to enjoy a successful career – winning the European Championship with Italy in 2021.

The Inter Milan star has opened up about the struggles he faced during this period of his career and revealed that he turned to alcohol his soccer career took a ‘backseat’.

Acerbi said: “I took the news quite badly, I had no symptoms and from blood tests they reassured me it was something minor. They removed a testicle, telling me that I would be back on the pitch after a month.

“After a few months, there was a relapse. I wasn’t expecting that and I started chemotherapy in the January and once the season ended I recovered. Even praying came naturally. At that point, I thought of my wife, my children and my father.

“I was not an alcoholic but I abused it in the sense that I liked having fun and football took a back seat. I wasn’t depressed but I wanted to quit because I couldn’t handle it anymore.

“I could no longer give what I wanted and I had other things on my mind, so I started going out at night. That whole period lasted until the second illness.”

Will Francesco Acerbi Play For Italy Again?

Alongside an impressive playing career, Acerbi has also featured heavily for the Italian national team, picking up 34 caps for the Azzurri and winning the aforementioned Euros.

However, the 37-year-old has not played for Italy since November 2023 and turned down an international call-up in June of this year, leaving many fans confused.

Luciano Spalletti, who has been linked with a return to Serie A management, was the manager at the time, but the veteran coach was relieved of his duties during the same camp that Acerbi refused to feature in.

Gennaro Gattuso has now taken the reins for Italy and Acerbi has revealed that he would be willing to make a return to the Azzurri – but only if the new manager wants him there.

Acerbi said: “I only ever turned down a call-up against Norway. Because it wouldn’t have been right after all the events that had happened. Spalletti didn’t call me up for a year but I am available.

“The coach decides the players he wants or doesn’t want. If Gattuso doesn’t want me, that’s not a problem.”