Inter Milan’s Francesco Acerbi has been instrumental in his side’s run to the 2024/25 Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain – and the reason why one of the seasoned defender’s boots were spotted with a hole in them has been revealed.
Simone Inzaghi’s men will be hoping to write their names in Nerazzurri mythology with a win against Luis Enrique’s side – and the Italian centre-back’s expertise could be the key difference between lifting gold and leaving Germany emptyhanded.
Why Acerbi Wore Boot Hole in It vs PSG
The Inter Milan veteran is, evidently, superstitious
As alluded to, the 37-year-old – who has spent his entire footballing career in his homeland, Italy – has been all-crucial to Inzaghi – widely regarded as one of the best managers in world football – in the lead-up to the showpiece affair.
Not only has he been defensively solid alongside compatriot Alessandro Bastoni, but his goal against Barcelona (relive it below!) – a side much younger and much fresher than the Serie A outfit – is one that will be talked about for years.
On the verge of elimination, Acerbi popped up in an unusual position – inside Barcelona's danger area and flicked home a cross to send the tie into extra-time. Davide Frattesi scored the winner, but the wily defender's goal was equally imperative.
According to Football Italia, when he noticed that the boot that he had scored with – his first goal at Europe's top table, may we add – had torn on the big toe, he came to the assumption that they were a good luck charm.
Ahead of the final in Munich, he had a decision to make. Would he a) rotate his footwear like every footballer does? or b) would it rely on his superstitious nature that his perforated boot would bring him luck in the final? Of course, he chose the latter.
Acerbi, in his side's Serie A meeting with Torino, had opted to chop and change his footwear, but the damaged boot – a good omen, in the eyes of the veteran – was back on show as Inter locked horns with France's most dominant force, PSG.