The 18-year-old Petrone had been injured in Naples by a group of his peers and had his spleen removed. His goal contributed to Angri’s permanence in the Campania Excellence
The shirtless celebration shows signs of that tragic night. It was last December 27th when Bruno Petrone, a midfielder born in 2007 for Angri, was attacked and stabbed by a group of peers in Naples, in the Chiaia area. Having undergone emergency surgery, the 18-year-old had his spleen removed and ended up in intensive care for a few days. She asked her mother Dorotea, in the hospital bed, in a faint voice: “Will I be able to play again?”. Five months later he achieved it by scoring the most important goal of the season. The youngster scored the last goal in the playout final of the Eccellenza Campania championship, group B, between the Grigiorossi and Castelpoto: the match ended 3-1. Petrone’s goal secured salvation for his team. To celebrate, the player ran to celebrate together with his teammates and fans, taking off his uniform. The deep scar on his left side will never fade, but Bruno has found the strength to react.
returning to the field
—
Four days after nearly dying, Bruno reassured everyone by taking a photo from the hospital shared by Angri on social media. The team waited for him, Petrone returned to training and in the most important match of the championship he was decisive. “For us he is like a son – said Claudio Anellucci, president of the Campania club – he already has the contract ready for next season”. Among the many messages received by the young footballer in recent months, there was also one from Napoli: “Come on Bruno, we are all with you”. When he was 16, the midfielder also made his Serie C debut with Sorrento.
the appeal
—
Four teenagers aged between 15 and 17 were arrested for wounding Petrone. The attack occurred around 2 am on December 27th in via Bisignano, in the heart of the Chiaia district. Security cameras had allowed investigators to reconstruct the entire affair. The attacker, a 15-year-old, said he had obtained a knife for fear of retaliation after an old argument. Yet another bloody incident between very young people. Mother Dorotea had launched an appeal a few hours after the incident: “My son risked dying, he could have lost his life in a few seconds, saying goodbye to all his dreams. I was lucky, he fought and recovered. My thoughts, however, go to all those mothers who can no longer hug their children”. Bruno wanted to get back on the pitch and he did it, with a goal he saved his Angri from relegation. Finally he’s back to rejoicing.
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
