Matteo Materazzi’s dramatic account: “It’s not over; we’re moving forward”

Matteo Materazzi, a guest on *Verissimo*, spoke once again about his battle with ALS. The former soccer player, brother of World Cup champion Marco Materazzi, spent a month and a half in the United States undergoing experimental treatment.

“I have a terrible disease; every day it takes something away from you. I’ve reached the age of 50 in good health—I consider myself lucky, so to speak. I’ve built a family; I’ve had children. But the disease has changed me a great deal: you don’t make plans—you just live and smile. That’s part of life, too. You can suffer, but with a smile. And you keep going.”

It took a year to gain access to the experimental therapy in the U.S.: “We’ve seen a slowdown in the progression of the disease, but we don’t want to give anyone false hope. These are the treatments of the future—personalized. Out of the blue, you find yourself facing enormous costs, because you can’t take a regular flight with a ventilator. An air ambulance flight costs 350,000 euros.”

“People write to me and tell me I’m an inspiration to them. That’s the meaning of life. The important thing is to help people. It’s not over until it’s over, and I know it will never end.”

His relationship with his brother Marco: “Our lives have often run parallel; they never really crossed paths, but I knew he was there. Losing your mother when you’re young leaves a mark, and together with him, we made it through. We’ll always be connected for the rest of our lives.”