Former Italy captain and AC Milan great Franco Baresi has passed away at the age of 66 after battling illness. The Serie A club confirmed the news on Friday, bringing an end to the life of one of football’s greatest-ever defenders.
Baresi spent his entire professional career with AC Milan and became one of the club’s biggest icons. His loyalty, leadership and consistency made him a fan favourite, while his performances earned him recognition as one of the finest defenders the game has ever seen.
During his career, Baresi was nominated for the Ballon d’Or seven times. His best finish came in 1989, when he ended as runner-up to teammate Marco van Basten. He was also named among the greatest footballers of the 20th century by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS), where he was ranked 33rd. In 2013, he was inducted into the Italian Football Hall of Fame.
For Italy, Baresi made 81 appearances and scored one goal. He was part of the squad that won the 1982 FIFA World Cup in Spain, although he did not play during the tournament. He later captained Italy to the 1994 FIFA World Cup final in the United States, where he produced a remarkable performance against Brazil despite returning from a knee injury suffered earlier in the competition.
Across his international career, Baresi represented Italy in three FIFA World Cups (1982, 1990 and 1994) and two UEFA European Championships (1980 and 1988), becoming one of the country’s most respected defenders.
“Italian football has lost one of its legends,” Italian Football Federation President Giovanni Malago said. “An extraordinary champion who wore only two jerseys throughout his career: AC Milan and the Azzurri. A romantic choice, one that earned him a place in the hearts of fans and millions of Italians. We will remember him as he deserves during the national team’s upcoming matches, the team for which he always demonstrated exceptional dedication, becoming one of its most glorious symbols,” he added.
Baresi enjoyed an unforgettable career with AC Milan, spending 20 seasons at the club. During that time, he won six Serie A titles, three European Cups, two Intercontinental Cups, two UEFA Super Cups and four Italian Super Cups, helping Milan become one of Europe’s dominant teams.
“Announcing the loss of someone who embodied the heart and soul of AC Milan is incredibly difficult. But everyone at the Club and all the Milanisti must live up to the memory of Franco Baresi. We must be strong and gather every bit of energy, even at this saddest of times. We lost Franco only a few months after his last public appearance in a packed San Siro, at the Milan Winter Olympics opening ceremony, an event on the world stage he helped make unforgettable,” AC Milan said in an official statement.
“In memory of Franco, we stand united, knowing he’ll guide and push us throughout our Rossoneri journey. Forever. Because Baresi is forever,” the club added.
After retiring from professional football in 1997, AC Milan honoured Baresi by permanently retiring his famous No. 6 jersey, a tribute to his extraordinary contribution to the club. Even after hanging up his boots, he remained closely connected to Milan. In October 2020, he became the club’s honorary vice-president, continuing to inspire generations of players, staff and supporters with his experience and love for the Rossoneri.