Sebino Nela, a name synonymous with grit and passion in Italian football, is far more than just a former AS Roma defender. His journey, recently recounted in a candid interview, reveals a man of profound depth, marked by humble beginnings, footballing glory, and an ultimately victorious battle against colon cancer. This is the story of Sebastiano, the man beneath the jersey, and Sebino, the tenacious player who faced every challenge head-on, both on and off the pitch.
The Genesis of a Tenacious Defender
Born Sebastiano Nela, he neatly distinguishes between his public persona and his private self: “Sebastiano is the man hidden under the football shirt. Sebino is the player.” His career ascent was anything but conventional. As a Genoa fan, Nela recalls being initially rejected due to his slight build. His entry into the football world came through a “recommendation,” a testament to the informal networks of the era rather than any inherent privilege. He started on dirt pitches, experiencing grass only upon his Serie B debut, a detail that speaks volumes about the raw, unpolished environment in which he forged his skills.
His early life was a crucible of hard work and dedication. Long commutes, school, training, and helping his parents in their restaurant – Nela’s days were packed. “I`d open my books at midnight and immediately fall asleep,” he candidly shared. This relentless work ethic was instilled by his parents; his father toiled 18 hours a day, and his mother forewent new stockings to ensure he had football boots. The emotional apex of his early career arrived with his first professional earnings from Genoa, a moment that moved his father to tears and allowed his parents to finally cease their arduous labor following his lucrative contract with Roma – a testament to a son repaying profound familial sacrifice.
Glory and Heartbreak with AS Roma
Nela`s time at AS Roma marked the pinnacle of his playing career, solidifying his status as a footballing icon. He quickly understood the unique intensity of the Roman club. The chant “Picchia Sebino” (Hit Sebino), often misinterpreted, was actually a tribute to his fierce tenacity on the field, not an endorsement of violence. “I never hit anyone,” he clarifies, “it referred to the fact that I was tough in the field.”
With Roma, Nela experienced the exhilaration of winning the 1983 Scudetto, a triumph etched into the club`s history. Yet, alongside this glory, came profound disappointments. The most notable was the heart-wrenching loss in the European Cup final against Liverpool, where he famously regretted passing the ball to Graziani instead of taking a shot himself. Interestingly, Nela found this defeat easier to process than the later Scudetto-costing loss to Lecce, highlighting the varying weights of expectation and opportunity. He holds immense respect for Roma`s passionate fan base, describing them as “one of the best in Europe,” while admitting a lingering disappointment regarding legendary teammate Falcao`s refusal to take a penalty in that fateful Liverpool final.
A Battle Beyond the Pitch: Confronting Cancer
The most poignant chapter of Sebino Nela’s life unfolded off the pitch: his battle with colon cancer. He approaches this deeply personal struggle with the same pragmatic, goal-oriented mindset that defined his football career. “We footballers live by objectives, one match after another. With the illness, I did the same,” he explains. He vividly recounts the agonizing nights spent in the bathroom due to chemotherapy side effects, transforming the ordeal into a series of achievable goals: from five hours of pain to four, then three and a half, and so on. This methodical approach, he notes, worked.
Nela`s reflection on his survival carries a sharp, almost technical critique of common platitudes. He expresses irritation when people attribute his recovery to his physical prowess. “Then what about all the colleagues I lost?” he asks, listing Vincenzo D’Amico, Paolo Rossi, Sinisa Mihajlovic, and Gianluca Vialli. “The only difference between me and them is that I was luckier.” This perspective underscores a profound humility and a realistic understanding of illness, rather than a romanticized view of personal strength. His family has been relentlessly affected by cancer, with his father, brother, and sister succumbing to it, and another sister battling it for 14 years. This personal history shaped his resolve, transforming his fight into a collective family struggle for survival and dignity. His simple act of seeking a tan to avoid appearing pale, after finding his wife and daughters crying, speaks volumes about his protective instincts and emotional resilience.
A Man of Many Worlds: Reflections and Future Horizons
Beyond the echoes of past victories and the shadows of personal battles, Nela presents himself as a man of diverse interests and introspective thoughts. His book, Il vento in faccia e la tempesta nel cuore (The Wind in the Face and the Storm in the Heart), is not a collection of frivolous anecdotes, but a deeper exploration of “Sebastiano.”
His current pursuits range from the unexpected to the cerebral. He expresses a desire to “speak with a Maori in New Zealand,” a striking testament to an open, curious mind. Closer to home, he finds contentment in simple walks along the Lazio coastline. He delves into politics and geopolitics, and enjoys the strategic complexities of chess. His perspective on modern culture is equally discerning; he hasn`t watched the Sanremo Festival in a decade, viewing it as “a big political show” rather than a celebration of music, and notes the enduring appeal of classic artists over contemporary ones. Regarding current Italian football, he offers pragmatic predictions, acknowledging Napoli`s potential, Inter`s superior play, Milan as a dark horse, and Roma`s top-four aspirations.
A Legacy of Unyielding Spirit
Sebino Nela`s story is a powerful narrative of resilience, authenticity, and profound humanity. From a determined boy on dirt pitches to a celebrated defender of AS Roma, and finally, to a survivor who understands the capricious nature of fate, Nela embodies an unyielding spirit. His journey reminds us that true strength lies not just in physical prowess, but in the courage to face life`s fiercest storms with honesty, grace, and an enduring sense of gratitude. He is, in every sense, an iron man – one who fought battles fiercely, on and off the field, and emerged with an even richer understanding of what it means to live.
