Rugged Francesco Acerbi the symbol of Inter Milan's bid to make history
MILAN – Francesco Acerbi could crown his long, turbulent career with the biggest prize in club football after bouncing back from cancer, depression and alcoholism to play a key part in Inter Milan's charge to the Champions League final.
The Italy international's stoppage-time equaliser was probably the defining moment in Inter's barely believable semi-final, second-leg triumph over Barcelona, as the oldest player in an old team.
A 37-year-old centre-back, Acerbi had to be the most surprising scorer in a tie for the ages, finding himself in the opposition penalty area to smash in his first Champions League goal just as the game looked up for Inter.
Everything about his goal embodied the fighting spirit Inter have shown in their two classic clashes with Barca (4-3 win and 3-3 draw) and, in the previous round, Bayern Munich.
'It was a really special moment. I could feel that something changed when the ball hit the net,' said Inter midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu.
'It was the moment that we realised that we could win the match.'
Despite his age, Acerbi is Simone Inzaghi's first choice in the heart of Inter's three-man central defence and will start against Paris Saint-Germain in Munich on May 31.
Acerbi has come through some tough times both on the field and off it, battling depression following the death of his father while he was briefly at AC Milan over a decade ago, and then two bouts of testicular cancer which he believes were the catalyst for him to turn his life around.
'After my dad died I crashed and hit rock bottom. I was at Milan and nothing stimulated me. I didn't even know how to play anymore,' he said in 2019.
'I started drinking, I drank everything. Cancer saved me. I had something to fight against again, something to overcome. I saw things clearly and I know that from one day to the next, everything could change.
'I'd even say that the disease improved me... I stopped dreaming, I prefer now to set achievable goals.'
Acerbi has been rewarded for his memorable season by a recall to the Italy set-up for upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Norway and Moldova, a first call-up since March 2024.
But he was forced to leave his last Azzurri training camp after allegations that he racially abused Juan Jesus during a highly-charged match between Inter and Napoli.
Acerbi was spared punishment by the Italian football federation (FIGC) due a lack of evidence.
Napoli were so outraged at the decision that they pulled out of the FIGC's 'purely cosmetic' anti-racism initiatives, while Jesus felt 'bitter' about the decision which saved Acerbi from a 10-match ban that would have ended his season right before Euro 2024.
Acerbi ended up missing the Euros with injury, and hamstring problems dogged him during the first half of this season, but he has come roaring back and could yet lead Inter to an era-defining triumph.
A Champions League winner's medal would be sweet redemption. AFP
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