Former Sassuolo striker reveals how Acerbi illness made him a role model | OneFootball

Former striker Antonio Floro Flores has revealed how Inter defender Francesco Acerbi became a role model for the whole team after his cancer diagnosis, while the two played together at Sassuolo.

Flores and Acerbi came to blows after a match

Speaking in an interview with the podcast DoppioPasso, via TMW, Flores recalled a heated incident in which he nearly fought the centre-back: “Francesco is an extraordinary guy, a real role model for life. But during that period, he was swearing every minute and insulting everyone. I was going through a difficult personal time and I was angry. During that match, the coach benched me and, at one point, Acerbi took the ball to take the free-kick. I told him ‘Go play as a defender’. He started insulting me and I replied ‘see you in the locker room.'”

MUNICH, GERMANY – MAY 31: Francesco Acerbi of FC Internazionale looks dejected as he walks past the UEFA Champions League trophy after defeat to Paris Saint-Germain during the UEFA Champions League Final 2025 between Paris Saint-Germain and FC Internazionale Milano at Munich Football Arena on May 31, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

After the game, the two came to blows once again: “My vision went blurry – I wanted to kill him! I had my boots in my hand, I could’ve hit him. I told him: ‘From Tuesday onwards, don’t show your face.'”

Eusebio Di Francesco, who was head coach of Sassuolo at the time, intervened alongside other key members of the dressing room to prevent the conflict escalating, with the squad gathered for a meeting to clear the air.

MILAN, ITALY – MAY 19: Francesco Acerbi of FC Inter kisses the Serie A TIM Scudetto title trophy at full-time following the team’s draw in the Serie A TIM match between FC Internazionale and SS Lazio at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on May 19, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Flores recalls how cancer treatment changed Acerbi

In 2013, Acerbi signed for Sassuolo in a €1.8 million deal for half of his playing rights. During pre-season, blood tests revealed a testicular tumour which the defender underwent surgery to have removed. He quickly returned to training but  in December it was revealed his cancer had returned. Acerbi undertook three months of chemotherapy shortly after, in which he reportedly continued to train with the side – despite not returning to play for Sassuolo until the following season.

Speaking on Acerbi’s illness, Flores revealed that “when Acerbi found out he was sick he gave us all a valuable life lesson. He’d go through chemotherapy and then run out on the pitch in training. It was inhuman. After that, he became a different man and was an example to all of us.”