Matteo Materazzi discusses battle with ALS and experimental treatment

Matteo Materazzi, a former footballer and sports agent, has shared details regarding his struggle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) during an appearance on the television program Verissimo. Diagnosed in September 2024 after experiencing symptoms such as limping since March, Materazzi described the neurodegenerative disease as an ‘infamous illness’ that progressively strips away physical abilities.

He recently spent six weeks in the United States to undergo an experimental, personalized therapy. While noting that his family has observed a slowdown in the disease's progression, he emphasized that the treatment is aimed at future generations, noting that the condition is genetic.

Materazzi, the brother of former Italian footballer Marco Materazzi, spoke about the emotional toll of the diagnosis and the importance of family support, specifically highlighting the role of his wife, Maura Soldati. He expressed a desire for more effective medical tools to combat the disease to protect his children and others facing similar diagnoses.