Gattuso fights double‑vision disease fifteen years after World Cup win
Inside the sleek auditorium of the Festival dello Sport in Trento, the former midfield enforcer leaned into the microphone, his eyes briefly flickering as he described the silent battle that has accompanied him for fifteen years. Gennaro Gattuso, now Lazio’s head coach, revealed how an autoimmune disorder shapes his daily routine.
World Cup triumph and playing pedigree
The midfielder’s résumé is studded with glittering honours. He lifted the Campeón del Mundo trophy in Alemania 2006 with the Selección de Italia, a triumph that cemented his reputation for character, garra and unrelenting commitment. Earlier, he had already secured two UEFA Champions League crowns and two Scudetti while wearing the Milan shirt, achievements that cemented his status as a modern football warrior.
In the weeks leading up to that World Cup final, Gattuso overcame a severe muscle tear, completing a rehabilitation programme that saw him train up to fourteen hours a day. The rapid recovery convinced manager Marcello Lippi to name him a guaranteed starter in the historic campaign.
Living with an autoimmune condition
During the Trento interview, the coach disclosed that the ailment forces him to take cortisone daily and has caused diplopía – a double‑vision problem that destabilises his sight. “I stopped playing because of the autoimmune pathology I contracted,” he said, adding, “I have diplopia, which prevents me from seeing correctly.” The audience responded with applause as GATTUSO finished his remarks.
The condition accelerated his retirement in 2013 while he was still a Milan player, and it continues to dictate strict lifestyle choices. Gattuso revealed he has gone six to seven years without a single drop of alcohol, noting that “there are people with my disease who are four or five months in bed because they cannot move.”
Coaching career forged by perseverance
Undeterred, the former Italy captain transitioned to management, taking charge of Napoli, then Milan, and later the Italian national team before accepting the Lazio role in June of this year. His tenure at Napoli began in 2013, followed by a spell at Milan in 2017, and he led the Italian side from 2018 to 2023 before moving to Lazio. Despite the disease’s complex consequences, he maintains a full‑time presence in elite European football.
“I accepted the disease, I work with it, but it takes its toll because taking cortisone every day is not easy,” Gattuso admitted, yet he stresses a steadfast mentality: “It goes on until God gives us the strength to continue.” His resolve exemplifies the resilience that many clubs now seek in leaders.
Gattuso’s story underscores how personal adversity can coexist with professional ambition, offering a powerful example for players and coaches confronting health challenges. His openness about the daily fight adds a human dimension to the high‑performance world of football, reminding the sport that perseverance often lies behind the headlines.