È Franco Baresi diedHe had turned 66 last May. His passing was announced by Milan with a message of condolence: "The history of AC Milan is in tears over the passing of Franco Baresi. His example and his depth will forever be, like his number 6 shirt, an integral and fundamental part of the DNA and the journey of the entire Club."
For Milan and its fans, Baresi was one of the club's flagships, having worn exclusively the Rossoneri and Italian national team shirts.
Franco Baresi: From his early days at AC Milan to his twenties with the Rossoneri
Born on May 8, 1960 in Travagliato, in the province of Brescia, Baresi began playing for his hometown team alongside his brothers Angelo and Giuseppe, known as Beppe, the future captain of Inter. After being rejected by Inter because he was considered too frail, he attended several trials before convincing Milan to take a chance on him.
Entered into the AC Milan youth teams in the 1970s, made his Serie A debut on April 23, 1978, at just 17 years old. From that moment began a journey that lasted almost twenty years, ending in 1997 after 719 official appearances for Milan.
Considered among the best defenders in the history of footballBaresi stood out for his tactical intelligence, anticipation, and quality in setting up the game. For fifteen years, he was AC Milan's captain and one of the team's key players. Mauro Tassotti, Alessandro Costacurta e Paolo Maldini formed the Milan defensive department led by Arrigo Sacchi and, subsequently, from Fabio Capello, protagonist of one of the most successful periods in European football. Jorge Valdano's famous definition: "The opponents didn't look at the ball, they looked at Baresi."
With Milan he conquered six Scudetti, four Italian Super Cups, three Champions Cups, three European Super Cups, two Intercontinental Cups has always been Mitropa CupAt the end of his career, the club has retired the number 6 shirt, an award never before given in AC Milan's history.
From Italy as world champions to the 1994 final
With the Italian national team won the 1982 World Cup in Spain, even without taking the field during the tournament. In the following years he became one of the leaders of the Italian defense and He also participated in the 1990 and 1994 World Cups.
In 1994, after tearing his meniscus against Norway, he underwent surgery and recovered in just 24 days, returning to the pitch for the final against Brazil. He played the full 120 minutes of the match and, in the penalty shootout, fired his shot over the bar.
After retiring from football, Baresi also went through moments complex on a personal and financial level. Some investments proved to be unsuccessful, including his involvement in the collapse of Credieuronord. In 2005, he was also involved in a legal case related to an alleged fraud in the art market, which ended in a plea bargain. In the years that followed, he remained connected to AC Milan, who welcomed him first into the youth academy and then as honorary vice president.
The last year and Baresi's illness
In August 2025, during a routine check-up, he was diagnosed with diagnosed with a nodule in the lung, which was later removed with surgery. In the following months, he said he had overcome the most difficult moment.
His last public appearance was at the opening ceremony of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, when he marched as a torchbearer at the San Siro Stadium alongside Inter's longtime captain, Giuseppe Bergomi. On that occasion, he said carrying the Olympic torch had been one of the highlights of his sporting career.
Condolences from the football world and its institutions
The passing away of Franco Baresi has caused a wave of emotion in the world of sport and institutionsIn addition to AC Milan's message, tributes arrived from clubs, managers, former teammates, and opponents. The president of the Italian National Olympic Committee, Giovanni Malago, called him "one of the legends of Italian football" and "an extraordinary champion", recalling his exclusive attachment to the AC Milan and national team shirts. Inter's vice president, Javier Zanetti, greeted him with a simple but significant message: “Flag, Captain, Legend: 6 forever”. Even the Juventus he recalled “class, style, leadership and respect on and off the pitch”, while Rome, Lazio e Serie A League They paid tribute to one of the greatest defenders of all time and a role model for entire generations.
The Italian Footballers' Association He emphasized how Baresi embodied "style, sporting loyalty, and absolute dedication," while Milan's mayor, Giuseppe Sala, called him "a symbol of dedication and loyalty that made Milan and Italy great throughout the world." One of the most heartfelt tributes came from the Curva Sud: "An inimitable Rossoneri flag. 6 forever, captain."
