Bernardeschi reveals heart condition that nearly ruined his career | OneFootball

Federico Bernardeschi has revealed how he was nearly forced to retire from football due to a rare heart condition.

The Tuscany born midfielder came through the ranks at Fiorentina before signing for Juventus in 2017.

However, life could have been very different if Bernardeschi listened to his doctor’s advice as a teenager.

“When I was 16, during a routine physical check, the medical team at Fiorentina found a medical problem,” he told the Players Tribune.

“I did the investigations and found that my heart was enlarged.

“The doctors told me they did not know if I would have been able to play football again, I could not believe it.”

“I had to stop for six months and it was the hardest six months of my life,” the Italian added. “I lived alone in Florence and I had nothing to do.

“In the end, with some dietary changes and medicine, I was able to overcome the problem .

“This moment certainly made me more aware of the fragility of my journey, making me enjoy my successes more.”