Borgogol with the azzurri in Paris
On June 27 2013 Stefano Borgonovo passed away just a couple of hours before the Confed Cup match between Italy and Spain in Fortaleza (which the Spanish team won on penalties). Following his courageous eight year battle against the progressive and fatal nervous system disease MND (motor neurone disease) that had attacked Stefano's whole body, the former striker of the Squadra Azzurra, who in 1990 won the European Cup with AC Milan, closed his eyes forever at the age of 49. Italy’s players paid tribute to the former player wearing black armbands during their semi-final against Spain. Italy coach Cesare Prandelli, who recognised the courage with which Borgonovo had battled his disease since his diagnosis in 2008, said: “I dedicate this game to him and to his extraordinary family. They have all lived through a dramatic time with great serenity.”
Next Monday, on June 27 2016, three years to the day after Stefano’s death, Italy plays Spain again (6pm Stade de France). Be it faith, be it coincidence or whatever – Borgonovo will be at the center of attention once again. His wife Chantal, mother of four kids, has been invited by Carlo Tavecchio, the president of the Italian Football Association, to the round of 16's game of the European Championships between Italy and Spain.
"This is a very special moment and I am very grateful to the Italian Football Association and its president Carlo Tavecchio. Stefano was always very proud to wear the jersey of the national squad and Stefano’s former colleagues – with Gigi Buffon, the captain and goalkeeper of the Squadra Azzurra, leading the way – were always very close to us. I am sure that Stefano would have wanted me to attend the game. My husband was a real fighter – on and off the pitch. We will continue to fight ALS to raise awareness of this illness. Football can play an important role in this battle. Football is the number one sport in the world and you can address a huge crowd. That’s the reason why I am particularly happy and thankful to the Italian Football Association for its help and this gesture. I am very much looking forward to the game on Monday."
Stefano set up his charitable foundation, dedicated to finding a cure and raising funds and awareness for ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), in 2008. Roberto Baggio, his teammate at Fiorentina , and many others such as Carlo Ancelotti, Claudio Ranieri, Pep Guardiola, Ronaldo, and many many more, support the Foundation. When Borgonovo succumbed to the disease in 2013, Roberto Baggio, his teammate at Fiorentina, wrote an open letter to Stefano highlighting once again his great achievement: “Dear Stefano, The most beautiful victory that you’ve managed to achieve over the years has been to turn the poison of the disease into medicine for others." And then he added: "Do you know what my greatest joy was? Helping you to score with an assist and seeing infinite happiness in your eyes. The memory of that happiness that today, dear Stefano, fails to compensate for the pain the news of your death."
