FLORENCE, ITALY – The city of Florence celebrates the lives and achievements of Stefano Borgonovo and Armando Segato. They were former strikers for ACF Fiorentina and Italy’s National Football Team and lost their battle with neurological disease ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
The mayor of Florence, Dario Nardella, unveiled last weekend two monuments in their honour and announced two streets dedicated to them.
To raise funds and awareness of the disease, Borgonovo started his own foundation and a testimonial match was organized by his former clubs Fiorentina and Milan. The game, played on 8 October 2008 at Stadio Artemio Franchi, Florence in front of a crowd of 30,000 people, was attended by several former stars of the two clubs – he himself attended despite his serious condition, with former teammate Baggio at his side. He died from the disease on June 27, 2013, aged 49.
Segato played left halfback for the fabulous Fiorentina side of the 1950s: one championship, 4 consecutive 2nd place finishes and one Champions Cup final lost to Real Madrid. He closed his career in 1964 and in February 19, 1973 lost his battle with neurological disease ALS.