Originating from Vizzolo Predabissi, a quaint village located about 15 miles from the famed San Siro, Francesco Acerbi launched his professional football journey in 2006 with Pavia in Serie C.
Following a loan at Renate in Serie D, Acerbi’s career trajectory saw him traversing Italy, making notable stops at Reggina, Genoa, and Chievo, where he made his Serie A debut and gained recognition as one of the league’s most promising defensive talents.
His impressive performances caught the attention of AC Milan, the club he had idolized since childhood. In 2012, he secured a permanent transfer to the Rossoneri, though his time there didn’t unfold as hoped.
Acerbi grappled with personal challenges, primarily a strained relationship with his father—the very person who admired him yet also scrutinized him. “He meant well, but his criticism often hurt,” Acerbi reflected on his father’s relentless feedback.
Paolo Franchini, the psychotherapist who aided Acerbi in reconciling with his father, remarked on this dynamic: “He was both his biggest supporter and his main source of frustration, constantly highlighting his errors.”
Now, as Acerbi raises his hands toward the sky before each match, it symbolizes his journey—a tribute to his father despite the long road he has traveled.
Tragically, his father passed away shortly after Acerbi’s transfer to AC Milan, plunging him into a deep depression.
Reflecting on his early career, Acerbi admitted, “I lacked the right mindset for a true professional. I often showed up for practice under the influence, thinking my physical prowess was sufficient.”
With the loss of his father, he hit an all-time low, struggling with motivation and succumbing to unhealthy habits.
After a mere six months, AC Milan loaned him back to Chievo, and by the season’s end, he transitioned to Sassuolo, searching for redemption.