World Cup winner and Italian football legend Gennaro Gattuso has revealed he has been battling illness for 15 years.Gattuso admitted that he retired after being diagnosed with an autoimmune disease that he has been battling since.Italy icon Gattuso has revealed that he has been battling an autoimmune disease for the last 15 yearsGettyThe iconic midfielder hung up his boots in 2013 after an impressive playing career spanning almost two decades.And he has now opened up about his long-term struggles with his illness that takes a toll on him on a daily basis.Speaking at the Festival dello Sport, Gattuso revealed: “I stopped playing because of the autoimmune disease I got.“And I have been taking [medicine] cortisone for 15 years.”An autoimmune disease is a chronic condition that sees a person’s immune system attack their own body’s cells and tissues, instead of fighting off outside germs.He continued: “Throughout all these years, I have said that there are people with my illness who stay in bed for four or five months because they cannot move.“I accepted the illness. I work on it. But it takes its toll on me, because taking cortisone every day is not easy. “It has been six or seven years since I drank any kind of alcohol. “You keep going until God gives you the strength to carry on.”AC Milan icon Gattuso is currently the manager of Lazio in Serie A, continuing his involvement in football despite his health issues.Gattuso won the World Cup, two Champions Leagues and two Serie A titles as a player before his illness led to his retirement in 2013GettyHe went on to manage Italy, but after his sacking, he instantly moved on to join LazioAFPHow is Gattuso doing with Lazio?The 48-year-old won the World Cup with Italy as a player and ended up managing them from June 2025 to April 2026.He was sacked as boss after failing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup despite winning six of his eight matches in charge.Gattuso is also a two-time Champions League and Serie A winner, using his success on the pitch to build a career off it.And after leaving the national team, he is now Lazio boss.His side have started strongly, sitting level with leaders Roma and Inter Milan in the league table.In five games, they have four wins, one draw and no losses.“We have started well, but the road is long,” Gattuso said. “But I’m proud of the lads, who are giving so much.”