Alessandro Altobelli, a legendary figure in Italian football and a 1982 World Cup champion, is reportedly “devastated” after being unable to attend the funeral of his best friend, Evaristo Beccalossi. Altobelli is currently stranded in Kuwait, with no available flights enabling his return to Italy.
Evaristo Beccalossi, a former Inter Milan midfielder, passed away on May 6th at the age of 69. His funeral services are being held in his hometown of Brescia, with numerous other notable figures from the Inter Milan club, including Beppe Bergomi, in attendance.
Altobelli, who resides in Kuwait and works as a Serie A pundit for a local television network, was deeply affected by the inability to be present for his dear friend’s final farewell. The former Inter and Italian national team star cited the severe limitations on flights from the Middle East to Europe as the reason for his absence.
Speaking to Corriere della Sera, Altobelli shared his anguish: “I’m devastated. There are no flights. It had already taken me two days to return here [to Kuwait]. I spent eight hours in Istanbul during a layover, trying to rest on a chair. Now I’m stranded, and there are no solutions.”
He further elaborated on the profound impact of Beccalossi’s passing, stating, “He was my best friend. He was a champion and a second father to my sons. With him, a part of him has died too.”
Beccalossi and Altobelli shared a successful history together, including winning the Serie A title with Inter Milan in the 1979-80 season. Altobelli remains the second-highest scorer in Inter’s history, having netted 209 goals for the club.
English Translation:
‘Devastated’ Italy World Cup Winner Forced to Miss Beccalossi Funeral: ‘No Flights’
Italy legend Alessandro Altobelli is ‘devastated’ to miss the funeral of his best friend, Evaristo Beccalossi, as he is stuck in Kuwait with no flights available to return to Italy.
Former Inter midfielder Beccalossi died on May 6, aged 69.
His funeral is being held today in his hometown of Brescia, with many other Nerazzurri legends present, including Beppe Bergomi.
Former Inter and Italy star Altobelli, a 1982 Italy World Cup winner, was one of Beccalossi’s closest friends but could not attend his beloved friend’s funeral.
Altobelli, who lives in Kuwait and works as a Serie A pundit for a local TV station, has been forced to miss Beccalossi’s funeral due to the lack of flights from the Middle East to Europe.
“I’m devastated,” he told Corriere della Sera.
“There are no flights. It had already taken me two days to return here [to Kuwait]. I spent eight hours in Istanbul during a layover, trying to rest on a chair. Now I’m stranded, and there are no solutions.
“He [Beccalossi] was my best friend,” concluded Altobelli.
“He was a champion and a second father to my sons. With him, a part of him has died too.”
Beccalossi and Altobelli together won the 1979-80 Serie A title with Inter.
Altobelli is the second-best scorer in the Nerazzurri’s history with 209 goals.