Boerci, thirty years at Milan: this is how van Basten's career ended
The masseur who shared the Rossoneri triumphs in Europe and around the world speaks
He knows Van Basten's cursed ankle like the back of his hand. And thirty-three years as a masseur and physiotherapist for Milan allow him to say that the Dutch champion "retired more pushed by the medical staff of the Dutch national team than by that of Milan, who advised him not to be touched".
Roberto Boerci, 64, can tell you everything about that crystal ankle joint that sanctioned the departure of one of the greatest post-war strikers and a thousand stories of that joyful football machine that won everything in Europe and in the world. . From Sacchi to Allegri passing among others through Capello, Tabarez, Zaccheroni, Cesare Maldini, Terim, Ancelotti, Leonardo. On vacation in Lanusei, where his sister lives, he talks about a piece of life lived between triumphs (many) and bitterness (few).
The debut on the bench in February 1989, in the Italian Cup. Bari-Milan 0-1, goal by Marco Simone. The physique of many champions to be preserved and restored. «Excellent musculature? Gullit, Rijkaard. Maldini too ». Samples seen up close, cared for, pampered. Coaches of great prestige. "The advent of Berlusconi meant that the work was always marked by the maximum collaboration between technical staff, medical staff and management, with meetings even three times a day".
Relations with some of the coaches who have made the history of the Rossoneri have never stopped. "We talk to Ancelotti, players, managers". He remembers Franco Baresi with great esteem, on the 6th forever in the Rossoneri's hearts, "a champion of great humility, with a strength of mind that distinguished him from the others".
Now Roberto Boerci, who became an osteopath in 2000, works as a freelancer, has a studio in the Lodi area. He teaches sports massage in four universities in Milan, Bergamo, Busto Arsizio and Brescia. At Milanello, now, his son works as a masseur in the youth sector. He continues to deal, in private, with some samples. Would he return to Milan today? "Only if Paolo Maldini asked me to."
