Cancer can take a person’s life away, let alone a football career. Francesco Acerbi has been through some torrid times over the last 18 months due to testicular cancer, but these days he is getting his career back on track.
After regaining his place in the Sassuolo defence this season, and even scoring a goal upon his return to the pitch, Acerbi could potentially win his first cap for Italy on Tuesday night against Albania. An appearance in Antonio Conte’s Italy would complete Acerbi’s formation from emerging star at Chievo, to cancer survivor and finally to Azzurri debutant.
Acerbi is one of the fresh faces brought into the Italian squad for the friendly against the Albanians in Genoa, which will raise funds for the victims of the floods in the northern Italian city.
“I think that Conte has called me up because of the player that I am. I’ve been playing and doing well thanks to my friends and teammates,” Acerbi said recently.
“I don’t want there to be any favouritism after what happened with me. I commit myself to getting better every day.”
In fact, Acerbi as a player is not someone who has emerged overnight. After playing in Italy’s lower divisions with Pavia, Renate and Reggina, Acerbi made his Serie A breakthrough in the 2011/12 season with the Chievo.
Although he was rarely used in the first half of the campaign, Acerbi maintained his place in the second half of the season and notched-up 17 appearances for Domenico Di Carlo’s side. Chievo kept the opposition scoreless in six of those matches and Acerbi’s form also earned him an Italy call-up for a friendly against England in August 2012.
Acerbi moved to AC Milan for the 2012/13 season as a replacement for the great Alessandro Nesta but he struggled in Massimiliano Allegri’s team and only managed six Serie A appearances for the Rossoneri.
After spending the rest of the 2012/13 campaign back at Chievo, he made a transfer to newly-promoted side Sassuolo in July 2013, where he discovered his first health scare. During a customary medical at the time of the transfer, it was discovered that Acerbi had a tumour in his left testicle. It was then surgically removed two days later.
He went on to play 13 league games for the Neroverdi in 2013 but then was suspended in December after failing a drugs test. Worse news was to follow. It was also discovered that the cancer had returned and Acerbi needed chemotherapy.
Remarkably he continued to train while undergoing chemotherapy and by March this year, he announced on Facebook, “I am ready to come back, thank you to everyone for your support.”
Acerbi finally made his competitive return in September in a 0–0 draw against Sampdoria in Serie A. He had spoken about his experiences with the disease and how it affected both his mind and his body.
“Cancer is a terrible disease that catches you all of a sudden and it hits you both physically and mentally,” he said.
“Strength, positivity, courage and patience are needed, and it is important to have the love of family and friends to deal with the cycles of chemotherapy.”
Acerbi went on to play in Sassuolo’s surprising 1–1 draw with Juventus as well as the 3–1 wins against Parma and Empoli, even scoring a goal against the Ducali. Thanks to this form, he now has another chance to represent his country.
Italy’s match against Albania will be a special occasion for the Genoese, who have been dealing with torrid weather conditions over the previous month.
Conte has always been characterized as wanting his players to be fighters on the pitch. For Francesco Acerbi, whose recent battles have been off it as well, being with the Azzurri in Genoa represents another major remarkable step in his triumph over adversity.
Follow Vito Doria on Twitter: @VitoCDoria
