'I thought my life was over': Footballer rebuilds his life after losing a leg at 17

A rising talent who had just signed his first professional contract, he suddenly found himself fighting for his life after what seemed like an ordinary cold turned out to be meningococcal disease, a rare but deadly bacterial infection. For him to survive, doctors had to amputate one of his legs.

Now 23, Flavio moves with confidence on a sleek prosthetic limb. Speaking at a meningococcal disease awareness event in Ho Chi Minh City on Nov. 3, he recounted his 2019 ordeal with calm strength.

"When I woke up and realized my leg was gone, I thought my life was over," he said.

His symptoms began innocently: nasal congestion, sore throat and a mild fever. He took medication, went to class and trained as usual. But after dinner, his health spiraled: vomiting, stomach pain, high fever and sensitivity to light sent him to the hospital. Within hours, his condition worsened dramatically. The pain in his knee became unbearable; doctors later discovered the bacteria had infected his bloodstream and joints.

Initially mistaken for a severe flu, his illness was misdiagnosed until telltale rashes appeared. By then, gangrene had set in. Doctors made a heartbreaking choice: amputation was the only way to save his life.

What followed was a brutal recovery, both physically and mentally.

"People see the missing leg, but they don’t see the depression, the fear, the loss of identity," Flavio recalled. With support from family, friends, and teammates, he slowly learned to walk again with a prosthetic leg, and to dream again.

Flavio Da Pozzo trains with his prosthetic leg. Photo obtained by VnExpress

Together with his mother, Catherine Nordey, he founded the Thought by Flavio Da Pozzo Association, helping disabled athletes and raising awareness about meningococcal disease and the importance of vaccination.

"If I had known about the vaccine, my son would never have had to go through this," said Catherine, who still remembers the phone call from the hospital as the worst moment of her life.

Today, Flavio is training for the 2028 Paralympic Games, determined to win a gold medal in the 100-meter sprint with his prosthetic leg. Through his foundation, he supports others with disabilities to stay active and confident.

He now dedicates his voice to spreading awareness of a disease that can kill or maim within hours.

"When you're young, you think nothing bad can happen to you," he said. "But meningococcal disease can strike anyone. Use your curiosity to learn and protect yourself."

Experts warn that meningococcal infection, caused by Neisseria meningitidis, often starts like a mild flu: fever, fatigue, headache... but can rapidly progress to rash, confusion or septic shock. Up to half of untreated cases are fatal, and survivors may face lifelong disabilities. Vaccination remains the most effective prevention.