A tumor defeated twice, the religious faith that acts as a shield, the controversies on the pitch and on social media.
But also - according to Juan Jesus - a wrong word, pronounced towards his rival with the adrenaline of the match in his body, and Francesco Acerbi, central defender of Inter and the national team with which he won the European Championship in 2021 is in the storm.
"Racist phrases have never come out of my mouth. It's the only thing I can say - he defended himself - I've been playing football for 20 years and I know what I'm saying. I'm calm."
Thirty-six years old on February 11th, he is not new to episodes that have caused discussion.
Like the argument following a Milan-Lazio match in April 2019, won by the Rossoneri.
Kessie and Bakayoko go to celebrate under the curve showing Acerbi's shirt, exchanged shortly before, like a trophy.
A gesture caused by the back and forth between the defender and Bakayoko in the days before the match, on Twitter.
Acerbi had said: "As individuals there is no comparison between us and Milan".
Bakayoko replied: "Ok, see you on Saturday."
In the Biancoceleste, Acerbi had friction with the fans several times.
April 2022, Lazio-Milan again.
After the winning goal, scored by Tonali thanks to an error by Acerbi, the cameras immortalize a grin on his lips.
The controversy starts on social media.
"Enough now - he replies - I have always given everything for these colors and I am proud to have won trophies with this shirt. I repeat, I made a mistake and apologised. The laughter this evening was hysterical".
Born in Vizzolo Pedrabissi, in the province of Milan, he started playing for Pavia in C1.
In 2010 he made his mark at Reggina, and went up to Serie A first at Chievo in 2011, then at Milan in 2012. But he went to the Rossoneri and in January 2013 he returned to Chievo.
But it was at Sassuolo (2013-2018) that he exploded, before moving to Lazio and then Inter.
In neroverde, in July 2013, during sports fitness visits, Acerbi discovered that he had a testicular tumor.
Emergency surgery seemed to have defeated the disease.
But in December an anti-doping test which revealed positivity to gonadotropin had actually highlighted the flare-up of the disease.
Another cycle of treatment and another victory.
A battle that the defender recounts in the book "Everything is fine - My double victory over cancer".
An experience that strengthened his religious faith.
He has never hidden that he prays twice a day, morning and evening, and that he has been helped a lot by religion in difficult times, such as after his father's death.
Before matches it is a usual gesture for him to join his hands in a sign of prayer.
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