Evaristo Beccalossi, the beloved former midfielder of Inter Milan, has emerged from a harrowing 47-day coma following a cerebral hemorrhage that began on January 9, 2025. His recovery journey has been a testament to resilience and the unwavering support of his family and friends.
On that fateful day, a friend who was supposed to accompany Beccalossi to Pavia found him in a state of confusion at his home. His daughter, Nagaja, was immediately notified and rushed to her father's side. "Evaristo was conscious and speaking, but not everything he said made sense," his wife, Danila, recounted in an emotional interview with Corriere della Sera. Recognizing the seriousness of the situation, they took him to the Fondazione Poliambulanza hospital in Brescia, where doctors quickly diagnosed him with a cerebral hemorrhage.
Despite the gravity of his condition, Beccalossi maintained a lighthearted demeanor. At one point, when a doctor advised him to say goodbye to his wife, he cheekily responded, "Go on, get out of here." This playful exchange, however, did not mask the reality of his deteriorating health. Just two days later, his condition worsened significantly, and he was placed in a coma. The medical team candidly informed his family, saying, "We don’t know if he will make it to tomorrow." This moment marked the beginning of a long and painful wait for his family.
Throughout the 47 days of his coma, Danila and Nagaja remained by his side, drawing strength from each other and the support of friends and former teammates. The news of Beccalossi's condition reached many, including Beppe Marotta, president of Inter, and his teammates from the 1980 Scudetto-winning team. They formed a WhatsApp group to send daily messages of support, reflecting the deep bonds forged during their playing days.
Among the many messages of encouragement, one stood out: a heartfelt vocal message from FIFA President Gianni Infantino. "He wanted Evaristo among the Legends; he is his idol," Danila shared. Infantino's words provided comfort during the darkest days, and a video call was arranged once Beccalossi began to regain consciousness.
On February 27, 2025, after nearly seven weeks, Beccalossi finally woke up. The first words he heard upon regaining consciousness were from the nurses, who greeted him with cheerful wishes: "Happy birthday, Becca." It was a poignant moment for him, as he realized how much time had passed since he had entered the hospital just before Christmas, only to awaken around Easter.
As he begins the long road to rehabilitation, Beccalossi's spirit remains unbroken. He faces the challenges ahead with the same determination he showed on the pitch. "Now he has the path of rehabilitation ahead of him, and it's still long. But, like when he was a player, he doesn’t want to train. When he has to go to the gym, he huffs and puffs," Danila said with a smile.
Despite the physical and emotional toll of his ordeal, Beccalossi's passion for football remains intact. He watches Inter's matches intermittently on his phone, and when his daughter asked him who would reach the finals before the semi-final against Barcelona, he confidently replied, "Inter, of course!" His love for the game and his team continues to shine through, even in these challenging times.
As his 69th birthday approaches on May 12, 2025, Evaristo Beccalossi stands as a symbol of hope and resilience. His journey from the brink of death back to the warmth of his family and the excitement of football is a powerful reminder of the strength of the human spirit. With the support of his loved ones and the football community, Beccalossi is ready to tackle the next phase of his life, showing that even in the face of adversity, the will to live and thrive can prevail.
