In the pantheon of Italian football legends, few figures embody resilience and raw honesty quite like Sebino Nela. A tenacious defender who carved out a storied career with Genoa and AS Roma, Nela’s journey extends far beyond the pitch. From humble beginnings to Scudetto glory, and through a fiercely private battle with cancer, his story is a testament to an unyielding spirit and a profound understanding of life`s unpredictable currents.
From Pozzolana Pitches to Serie A Stardom
Born Sebastiano Nela, but universally known as Sebino, his early life was far from the manicured lawns of modern academies. He started on “pozzolana” (dirt) fields, a stark contrast to the plush pitches of professional football. His entry into the game was, by his own admission, aided by a “recommendation,” a common thread in a less formalized era. But raw talent and an insatiable work ethic quickly distinguished him.
Nela’s dedication was unwavering: three hours of daily bus travel, school, training, and then assisting his parents in their restaurant. “My father always worked 18 hours a day in the kitchen. My mother wouldn`t buy stockings so I could have football boots,” he recalls, painting a vivid picture of the sacrifices made. His first professional contract with Roma, a princely 40 million lire, allowed his parents to finally stop working—a moment he describes as the “most beautiful” of his life, seeing his father weep with pride.
The Roman Empire: Glory and Heartbreak
It was at AS Roma where Sebino Nela cemented his legend. He quickly understood the club`s profound identity, fueled by an extraordinary fanbase. The chant, “Picchia Sebino” (Hit Sebino), was not a call for violence but an acknowledgement of his fierce, uncompromising style of play. “I never hit anyone. It referred to the fact that I was tenacious on the field,” he clarifies, setting the record straight with a touch of characteristic bluntness.
Nela was a cornerstone of the iconic 1983 Scudetto-winning team, a triumph etched into the club`s history. Yet, glory was often intertwined with profound disappointment. The European Cup final loss to Liverpool the following year, decided by penalties, remains a painful memory. Nela even reflects on a moment where he passed the ball instead of shooting, a decision that haunted him less than the subsequent Serie A title loss to Lecce years later. His admiration for teammate Falcao, a “marvelous person,” is tempered by the Brazilian`s refusal to take a penalty in that fateful Liverpool shootout, a decision Falcao reportedly regretted years later.
Il Vento in Faccia e la Tempesta nel Cuore: The Man Revealed
Beyond the highlights reels and newspaper headlines, Nela offered a more intimate portrait of himself in his book, Il vento in faccia e la tempesta nel cuore (The Wind in the Face and the Storm in the Heart). Eschewing frivolous anecdotes about hotel escapades, he chose to reveal “Sebastiano,” the man behind the “Sebino” persona.
This introspective approach aligns with his quiet diligence throughout his career. Initially a man of few words, his confidence and voice grew with his success, particularly during his second year at Roma. This desire for genuine expression extends to his musical tastes; he cherishes Antonello Venditti`s song “Correndo correndo” dedicated to him, yet dismisses the modern Sanremo Festival as an overly political “show.” His observation that “young people today sing Patty Pravo and Battisti, current artists will be sung by no one” offers a wry commentary on contemporary culture.
The Toughest Opponent: Cancer and the Human Spirit
The most poignant chapter of Nela’s life, and arguably the most impactful, has been his battle with colon cancer. He approaches this deeply personal struggle with the same tenacity he displayed on the pitch, but with an added layer of profound humility. Nela survived, but not without immense suffering. He vividly recounts five-hour nightly stints in the bathroom, wracked with pain from chemotherapy, setting small, incremental goals for recovery.
His story, however, isn`t about superhuman strength, but about luck. “The only difference between me and them is that I was luckier,” he states plainly, referring to fellow footballing giants like Vincenzo D`Amico, Paolo Rossi, Sinisa Mihajlovic, and Gianluca Vialli, who tragically succumbed to cancer. This perspective is a sobering reminder of the arbitrary nature of illness and a powerful tribute to his fallen colleagues.
The disease also unveiled the strength of his family. Discovering his wife and daughters crying one night, he challenged them: “Enough, you are the ones who need to help me now.” This moment shifted the dynamic, transforming shared grief into collective resolve. His family, he reveals, has been “decimated by tumors,” having lost his father, his brother, and his cherished sister to the disease. It’s a raw, honest admission of a burden few could imagine, yet Nela faces it with an unwavering spirit, a poignant desire to “always be tanned” to hide the pallor of his illness.
A Life Beyond the Sidelines: Present and Future Reflections
Today, Sebino Nela lives a life of quiet contemplation and varied interests. He finds solace in simple pleasures, like walks along the Lazio coastline, and engages his mind with politics, geopolitics, and chess. His future aspirations include an unexpected desire to “talk to a Maori in New Zealand,” a testament to his continued curiosity about the world, reflecting a hunger for authentic human connection rather than fleeting fame.
He still keeps a keen eye on Italian football, offering his seasoned perspective on the current Serie A landscape: seeing Napoli with the potential to reaffirm their dominance, Inter playing the best football, and Milan as a dark horse. For his beloved Roma, a top-four finish would be “extraordinary,” reflecting the pragmatic outlook of a man who understands the nuances of the game.
The Enduring Legacy of Sebino Nela
Sebino Nela`s journey is a compelling narrative of a man who faced life`s fiercest challenges with courage, integrity, and a distinctive brand of humility. From the dirt pitches of his youth to the grand stadiums of Serie A, and through the intimate battle against disease, he remains an enduring icon. His story reminds us that true strength isn`t just about triumphs, but about the unwavering spirit to confront adversity, to learn, to love, and to continue living with purpose, even when the wind is in your face and there`s a storm in your heart.
Adrian Whitmore