World Cup hero Gattuso opens up on 15‑year illness as Lazio push forward

World Cup winner Gennaro Gattuso, now 48, disclosed at the Festival dello Sport in Trento that an autoimmune disease has plagued him for 15 years and forced his playing career to end in 2013. The former Italy midfielder, who lifted the 2006 World Cup, said the condition still dictates his daily routine.

Health battle and daily regimen

"I stopped playing because of the autoimmune disease I got," Gattuso told reporters, adding that he has been on cortisone for the entire 15‑year period. He explained that many sufferers remain bedridden for four or five months, highlighting the severity of his own struggle. "I accepted the illness, I work on it. But it takes its toll on me, because taking cortisone every day is not easy," he said, noting he has not consumed alcohol for six or seven years.

From player to globe‑trotting manager

After hanging up his boots, Gattuso moved straight into management, first taking charge of Swiss side Sion only eight months after joining as a player. A three‑month stint there led to a brief spell at Palermo, followed by roles at Greek club OFI Crete, Italian sides Pisa, AC Milan, Napoli and Fiorentina, Spanish outfit Valencia, French giants Marseille and Croatian team Hajduk Split before landing the Italy job.

His tenure as Italy manager lasted less than a year; he resigned after the national side failed to qualify for the World Cup, losing to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the play‑offs.

Lazio revival under Gattuso

Appointed Lazio boss in June, Gattuso has overseen a strong start: the team are level on points with Serie A leaders Roma after winning four and drawing one of their opening five league games. "Before Lazio, I had come from an experience that cost me and hurt me," he reflected, adding that he finally said yes to president Claudio Lotito because the club was in difficulty and the players offered a fresh challenge.

He praised his squad’s resilience, recalling a scorching training camp at Formello where “the lads trained like that, without giving up and without complaining”. Gattuso believes that perseverance signals something special in the group.

Comments Sport Nathan Ridley Senior Sports Reporter recorded the interview at 12:59 on 05 Oct 2026. The article includes View 2 Images of Gattuso speaking at the festival and highlights his ongoing commitment despite the illness.