An AC Milan delegation visited the Paediatric ward at the Del Ponte Hospital in Varese, trying to bring some joy to the patients and staff.
Two senior squad members Matteo Gabbia and Ruben Loftus-Cheek were joined by two Milan Futuro players in Jacopo Sardo and Mattia Piermarini for the trip to Varese. The quartet brought smiles and gifts to the young patients (around 20 girls and boys, aged between two months and 17 years).
It’s not the first time that Milan players have taken part in such initiatives, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Yunus Musah, Ismael Bennacer and Malick Thiaw having been present at the same hospital a couple of years ago.
In November, Mike Maignan, Ardon Jashari, Nadine Sorelli and Monica Renzotti were seen at the Policlinico in Milan, while Alexis Saelemaekers visited the Niguarda hospital to visit the injured in Crans-Montana.
Delegazione milanista a trovare i piccoli pazienti del reparto di pediatria dell'Ospedale del Ponte di Varese.
Presenti Matteo Gabbia e Loftus-cheek, oltre a Sardo e Piermarini di Milan Futuro.
"Bello conoscere le persone in profondità e farle sorridere" le parole di Gabbia pic.twitter.com/spXmBTM2i7— Milan Vibes (@MilanVibesIT) March 27, 2026
On the sidelines of the visit, Gabbia said: “These are important initiatives to bring happiness, not only through our work, but also to the environment around us, made up of villages and families. It’s wonderful to get to know people more deeply and make them smile.
“It was wonderful to meet children who know you and see you on TV, to make them understand that we are older kids, but normal people who often share the same situations, fears, and feelings.
“It’s wonderful for them, but also for us: we saw their strength, their ability to face difficulties. And I must congratulate the doctors, the volunteers, and everyone who works here.”
Sardo added: “It’s nice to bring a smile to someone going through a difficult time. It’s my first time, I hope to do it again.”
Piermarini concluded: “I remember well how happy I was as a child, when I could see footballers up close. I was happy to see them happy.”
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