Edoardo Bove made an emotional return to Roma tonight, six months after collapsing during a match.
While he was on loan in Fiorentina, the 22-year-old suffered a cardiac arrest during a match against Inter Milan and was taken to the hospital.
Bove was then fired 12 days later, after he had mounted a defibrillator.
The midfielder has recovered since then and has indicated his intention to return to action next season.
Bove, born in the Italian capital, came through the ranks in Boyhood Club Roma.
The Italy Under-21 International came on loan last summer at Fiorentina and will remain contracted at Roma until 2028.
With Fiorentina who drove to Roma earlier today, Bove returned his first return to a full town of Olimpico since his cardiac arrest.
Although he was still not in action, the Homecoming hero traveled with his teammates to the competition and received a brilliant reaction.
Bove was visibly moved during a delicious reception of Roma's Curva Sud.
While a banner was: “Edoardo, don't give up, keep dreaming.”
Earlier this year BEFE spoke with the Italian edition of Vanity Fair and gave his intention to return to action.
The star said: “I know this is a temporary condition. My goal is to return to play in June.
“I still have a few (medical) visits, the doctors have to cross all the information.”
About how his defibrillator could influence his career, given that they are forbidden in the Serie A, Bove added: “If I decide to keep it, I can't play in Italy.
“Here comes the health for the individual, I am not saying that the rule is wrong.
“Abroad, yes, (it is possible to play) practical everywhere. Football is too important for me, I cannot allow myself to give up.
“I will try again, without a doubt. I will also see how I am, if I'm scared, if I don't feel calm, then everything will change.”
The Defibrillator rule of Serie A led Christian Eriksen to left Inter Milan, with the Dane initially returning to action with Brentford before he signed for Manchester United.