By Kostas Paraskevopoulos/ info@eurohoops.net
After returning home, Achille Polonara celebrated his 34th birthday alongside his wife and two kids on Sunday.
His battle with myeloid leukemia, lasting for several months, recently sent him into a coma for ten days and from there into recovery.
Focusing on his birthday and happy moments, he shared several pictures on his Instagram account.
Δείτε αυτή τη δημοσίευση στο Instagram.
On a post, Polonara thanked his wife, Erika Bufano, for her support.
“You have always been there for me, believing in us more than anyone else, even when everyone took me for granted! You have always been super positive in this difficult and complicated situation, never giving up, giving me confidence, and so much strength. In the last two years, we’ve been through a lot, and you’ve been super as always in protecting children and “hiding” various diseases. You are truly unique! Today I’m 34 and I hope from now on health will be on our side!!!! I love you, my life.”
Meanwhile, his senior national team of Italy teammates sent an emotional video with birthday wishes shortly following his captain slot for the upcoming games in the FIBA World Cup 2027 Qualifiers.
🎂Achille Polonara turns 34
👏This is how all the members of the Italian national team congratulated him.
📹@Italbasket pic.twitter.com/lQvMweiGUe
— Gigantes del Basket (@GIGANTESbasket) November 23, 2025
The Ancona native represented his country in several FIBA tournaments over recent years, since moving up to the senior squad, participating in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, FIBA World Cup 2023, and EuroBasket 2015 and 2022. His club journey through various teams led to 179 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague appearances, 36 7DAYS Europe Cup appearances, 14 Basketball Champions League appearances, and 26 FIBA EuroCup appearances, including the 2018-19 championship season with Dinamo Sassari.