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Legendary World Cup winner, 48, reveals 15-year battle with illness that leaves sufferers ‘in bed for months at a time’

ITALY icon Gennaro Gattuso has revealed that he has been battling an illness for the last 15 years. The 48-year-old spent a decade playing for the Italian national team and was part of the 2006 World Cup-winning side. He retired…

By Emillia Hawkins · The Sun

Published: Monday, 5 October 2026 at 10:02 AM

Key Things to Know

Gennaro Gattuso revealed he has battled an autoimmune disease for the past 15 years.
The 48-year-old stated that the illness forced his retirement from professional football in 2013.
Gattuso shared that he takes cortisone daily to manage the condition.

The Story in 60 Seconds

Former Italy international and 2006 World Cup winner Gennaro Gattuso has revealed he has been battling an autoimmune disease for 15 years. Speaking at the Festival dello Sport event in Trento, the 48-year-old explained that the condition forced his retirement from playing in 2013 and requires him to take cortisone daily.

Gattuso noted that the illness leaves some sufferers bedridden for months, making his daily management challenging. Following his playing career with clubs including AC Milan and Rangers, Gattuso transitioned into coaching and was appointed manager of Serie A side Lazio in June.

Read the full article on The Sun

Legendary World Cup winner, 48, reveals 15-year battle with illness that leaves sufferers ‘in bed for months at a time’

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