Storylines will be written all over the pitch on Saturday, but perhaps victory will perhaps mean more to one player than most: Inter’s stalwart center-back Francesco Acerbi.
That’s because the 37-year-old was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2013 while playing in Serie A for Sassuolo.
Despite the tumor being initially removed, cancer was again found later in the season, forcing the defender to leave the club and focus on his chemotherapy. Acerbi, though, recovered again and hasn’t looked back.
During his career, the Italian has won the league, Coppa Italia and Italian Super Cup.
Internationally, he was also part of the successful Italy side that defeated England in the final of Euro 2020.
The defender was part of the Inter team that lost to Manchester City two years ago in the Champions League final in Istanbul, but he’s got another shot at European club soccer’s biggest prize.
In truth, Inter would not be in Munich had it not been for him.
Acerbi scored a last-gasp equalizer in the second-leg of the thrilling semifinal against Barcelona to send the tie into extra-time, where the Nerazzurri booked their place in the final.
It was a magical moment and the timing couldn’t have been better – it was his first, and so far only, Champions League goal.
The Italian has already received some good news this week after being recalled to the men’s national team for the first time in over a year for June’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Can he conjure up some more magic to see his team go one step further this time and bring the European Cup back to Milan for the first time in 15 years?
