Inter Milan Star Leaves Door Open For Italy Return: “It’s Up To Gattuso” | OneFootball

Inter Milan defender Francesco Acerbi has said it is up to Italy head coach Gennaro Gattuso whether he is called back up to the national team but added “If he doesn’t want me, it’s not a problem.”

Acerbi spoke to Mediaset, with quotes via FCInterNews, ahead of Inter’s Serie A clash with Sassuolo on Sunday.

The defender discussed several topics, including alcohol, his struggle with cancer and whether or not he’ll play for Italy again.

On using alcohol to cope, Acerbi said “I was not an alcohol but I abused it in the sense that I liked having fun and football took a back seat.

“I wasn’t depressed,” he continued, “but I wanted to quit because I couldn’t handle it anymore.”

“I could no longer give what I wanted and I had other things on my mind, so I started going out at night,” he said.

“That whole period lasted until the second illness.”

Inter Milan Star Acerbi On Battle With Cancer & Italy Return

MONZA, ITALY – AUGUST 12: Francesco Acerbi of FC Internazionale scores his goal from the penalty spot during the Pre-season Friendly match between AC Monza and FC Internazionale at U-Power Stadium on August 12, 2025 in Monza, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Whilst he played for Sassuolo, Acerbi was diagnosed with cancer – which returned after initially going into remission.

On his illness, the Italian said “I took the news quite badly, I had no symptoms and from blood tests they reassured me it was something minor.”

Acerbi continued, “They removed a testicle, telling me that I would be back on the pitch after a month.

“After a few months, there was a relapse,” he added, “I wasn’t expecting that and I started chemotherapy in the January.”

“Once the season ended I recovered,” Acerbi said, “Even praying came naturally. At that point, I thought of my wife, my children and my father.”

The centre-back has not played for Italy since 2023 and had a falling out with ex-Azzurri head coach Luciano Spalletti.

“I only ever turned down a call-up against Norway,” Acerbi said.

“Because it wouldn’t have been right after all the events that had happened.”

“Spalletti didn’t call me up for a year but I am available.”

Finally, he did not close the door on a return to the national team.

Instead, he left it up to new head coach Gattuso to decide.

“The coach decides the players he wants or doesn’t want,” the Inter star said.

“If Gattuso doesn’t want me, that’s not a problem,” he concluded.