Franco Baresi, the previous AC Milan captain who was one in every of Italy’s most acclaimed defenders, has died. He was 66.
His dying was introduced on Friday by Milan, the soccer membership the place he spent his total 20-year enjoying profession. No reason behind dying was given.
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“The whole historical past of AC Milan is in tears,” Milan mentioned.
In August 2025, Baresi underwent surgical procedure to take away a pulmonary nodule and subsequently started a course of immunotherapy.
His final public look was on the opening ceremony for the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics in February, when, together with former Inter Milan defender Giuseppe Bergomi, he carried the torch into the San Siro — the stadium he previously performed in.
“His instance and integrity shall be ceaselessly etched into the Membership’s DNA, simply as his iconic quantity 6 shirt is,” Milan added. “The condolences AC Milan extends to Franco Baresi’s household at such a troublesome time are shared by each Rossonero, who feels this loss as their very own.”
Baresi was on Italy’s workforce that gained the World Cup in 1982.
“With the passing of Franco Baresi, Italy loses not solely one of many biggest champions in its sports activities historical past, but additionally an instance of loyalty, professionalism, and dedication,” Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni mentioned on X.
One-club participant Baresi etched in AC Milan historical past
Baresi, who was broadly thought to be among the best defenders of all time, was a real one-club participant. He progressed via the ranks at Milan and made his first workforce debut on the age of 17, in April 1978.
He selected to stick with Milan even after it was relegated to Serie B — for the second time in three seasons — in 1982, simply earlier than he helped Italy win the World Cup that summer time, and was given the captaincy on the age of simply 22.
Baresi made greater than 700 appearances for the Rossoneri, captaining the workforce to international dominance within the late Eighties and early Nineties.
With Milan, Baresi gained three Champions League trophies, six Serie A titles, two Intercontinental Cups, three European Supercups and 4 Italian Supercups.
“For generations, Franco embodied the values, character and excellence that outline this membership,” Milan proprietor Gerry Cardinale mentioned. “Whilst he battled his biggest problem during the last 12 months, he was all the time there for the membership, quietly reminding us all what it means to put on these colors.
“Franco’s legacy is profound and can endure ceaselessly. Our ideas are along with his household and all these whose lives he touched.”
In his last interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport final 12 months, Baresi mentioned he recalled being a “Milanista” (Milan fan) as a toddler.
“After I arrived at Milanello (Milan’s coaching centre) for the primary time as a 14-year-old, it appeared like getting into paradise,” Baresi mentioned.
Baresi the primary to have AC Milan jersey retired
In addition to the 1982 World Cup, Baresi additionally helped Italy end runners-up within the 1994 competitors — though he was one in every of three Azzurri gamers to overlook a penalty within the shootout defeat to Brazil within the last.
Baresi completed runner-up to teammate Marco van Basten within the Ballon d’Or awards in 1989.
When Baresi retired in 1997, Milan additionally retired his No 6 jersey — which was a primary for Italian soccer. The membership additionally held a celebration match in his honour, that includes many soccer stars Baresi had performed with and towards.
Baresi was made honorary president of Milan in 2020.
“Italian soccer has misplaced one in every of its legends,” Italian soccer federation president Giovanni Malago mentioned, labelling Baresi “a unprecedented champion who wore solely two shirts for his total profession: these of Milan and Italy”.
“We can have a tribute to recollect him the following time the nationwide workforce performs,” Malago added.
How Inter Milan missed out to AC on Baresi
It may have all been so completely different for Baresi and Milan, nevertheless. Baresi had trials at Inter when he was youthful however he was rejected by the Nerazzurri, who opted to signal his older brother Giuseppe Baresi, with Franco happening to affix the youth workforce of their fierce metropolis rivals.
Giuseppe additionally captained his workforce and the picture of the 2 Baresi brothers exchanging pennants earlier than kickoff turned the image of the Milan derby all through the late 80s.
“On November 19, 1995, I made my Serie A debut towards Milan. I used to be 17 years previous, and on the opposite facet was the captain of that workforce: Franco Baresi,” former Italy captain Gianluigi Buffon mentioned on X, referring to his Italian league debut with Parma.
“For a boy my age, discovering myself on the sector towards champions like him was one thing unimaginable,” Buffon added. “From that day on, I had a good clearer understanding of what it meant to signify soccer with class, management, and respect. Ciao Franco. Relaxation in peace.”
