Sad news: Acerbi refused to join the Italian national team for a surprising reason after the excruciating announcement of the beloved wife of this Inter SuperStar !! 👇👇
In a shocking turn of the events, the defender of Inter Francesco Acerbi was retired from the Italian national team for the next qualifying matches to the 2026 World Cup against Norway and Moldova, citing deeply personal reasons linked to a heartbreaking announcement by his wife, Claudia Scarpari. The 37 -year -old, pillar of both the club and the national team, made the decision public through a touching post on Instagram, arousing a sensation in the football community. This decision comes a few hours after the overwhelming defeat of Inter for 5-0 against the Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League final of 31 May 2025, although Acerbi insists that his choice is not motivated by defeat, but by personal circumstances and by a perceived lack of respect by the Italian CT, Luciano Spalletti.
Acerbi, key figure in the 2023-24 season of Inter, winner of the Serie A championship and member of the Italian UEFA winner team Euro 2020, was a symbol of resilience. His career, marked by the victory over testicle cancer in 2013 and by personal struggles against depression and alcoholism, has inspired many. However, his recent decision to retire from international commitments has left fans and analysts looking for answers. While Acerbi declaration on social media suggests tensions with Spalletti, sources close to the player reveal that the fulcrum of his decision lies in a deeply personal question that concerns his wife, Claudia Scarpari, whom he married in 2017 after having known her as teenagers. The couple, known for his strong bond, faced an emotional orientation that prompted Acerbi to give priority to the family compared to football in this critical moment.
According to some sources, Scarpari recently shared a devastating personal announcement, whose details have been kept private out of respect for the couple’s will. Some sources suggest that this news, combined with the emotional weight of Inter’s defeat in the Champions League final, has led Acerbi to reconsider his commitments. In his post on Instagram, Acerbi wrote: “After a profound reflection, I communicated today to the coach that I will not accept the convocation in the national team. It is not a decision taken lightly, because wearing the blue shirt has always been an honor and a reason for pride for me”. He stressed that his choice was not motivated by anger or recent defeat, but by the need for “serenity” in a difficult moment.
The announcement has aroused a large debate in Italian football environments. Acerbi’s decision to refuse the convocation, the first in over a year, arrives at a crucial moment for Italy, which aims to qualify for the 2026 world championship after skipping the two previous tournaments. Spalletti, who took on the guide of the national team in August 2023, expressed disappointment but remained vague on the details, stating: “Let’s go on. It is not a physical problem, he thought of what happened around him”. Some interpret this as a reference to the personal challenges that Acerbi is facing, while others indicate a possible fracture between the player and the coach. The previous comments of Spalletti, including a pungent observation on the age of Acerbi when he was asked of his possible insertion, may have contributed to the feeling of underestimating the defender.
The absence of Acerbi is a serious blow to Italy, especially in view of the demanding games against Norway, led by Erling Haaland, and Moldova on the horizon. His experience, with over 400 appearances in Serie A and 34 appearances with the Italian national team, would have been precious. The fans on social media showed conflicting reactions. Some Inter fans have lined up alongside Acerbi, praising their loyalty to the family and courage in being asserted. Others, however, believe that his decision could hinder Italy’s reconstruction efforts under the guidance of Spalletti, already under pressure after a disappointing season at € 2024.
The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has not yet issued an official declaration, but the situation highlights wider problems of communication and trust within the national team. The legendary Acerbi career, from the beginning to Pavia to his extraordinary performances in the Inter race in the Champions League, including a dramatic draw against Barcelona, made him a respected figure. His battle against cancer, which he believes herself saved him from personal difficulties, has only contributed to increasing his fame as a fighter. Yet this last chapter suggests that even the strongest players face moments in which personal priorities have precedence.
While Italy is preparing for qualifications without one of its most experienced defenders, questions on the future of Acerbi in the national team hover. He left the door open, stating that his decision “is not definitive”, but for now he focuses on supporting his wife in the challenges they share. The world of football, although disappointed, expresses solidarity with Acerbi, wishing him and for strength in this difficult moment. While the blues go on, the hope is that clarity and unity prevail, both for the team and for one of its most devoted servants.
