Former Inter Milan star Nicolas Giani who was forced to retire with incurable disease dies at 39

Former Inter Milan defender Nicolas Giani has died at the age of 39 after a battle with what has been described as an incurable illness.

The Italian footballer came through the youth ranks at Inter Milan and went on to enjoy a long career across the upper divisions of Italian football.

Giani retired from professional football in 2022, reportedly after being diagnosed with an incurable disease that later claimed his life.

Inter Milan confirmed his death in a statement, saying: “FC Internazionale Milano expresses its deepest condolences on the passing of Nicolas Giani, a defender who was part of the Nerazzurri youth sector from 1998 to 2005. The Club extends its sincerest sympathies to his family at this time.”

Born in the city of Como, Giani joined Inter’s youth setup in the late 1990s and progressed through the ranks during the early 2000s.

He did not make a senior appearance for the Milan-based club, spending the 2006–07 and 2007–08 seasons out on loan before leaving Inter permanently.

Giani later featured for several clubs in the Italian league system, including Cremonese, Vicenza and Spezia.

All three clubs issued tributes following news of his death.

Cremonese wrote: “Rest in peace Nicolas.” Spezia said in a statement: “Spezia Calcio expresses its condolences for the untimely passing of Nicolas Giani.

“The Giani family has the thoughts and strong embrace of the entire Club.” Vicenza added: “On behalf of the entire club, our deepest condolences to the entire family.”

Giani is best remembered for his time at SPAL, where he became a central figure in one of the club’s most successful modern periods.

He joined SPAL in 2014 and went on to make more than 100 appearances for the club. Giani captained SPAL to promotion from Serie C in the 2015–16 season before leading them to the top of the Serie B table the following year.

The achievement secured a second successive promotion and took SPAL into Italy’s top flight for the first time in 49 years. At international level, Giani represented Italy at youth level but never earned a senior cap.

Tributes have continued to pour in from across Italian football, with former clubs, teammates and supporters remembering him for his leadership, professionalism and impact on the pitch.