AC Milan mourns Franco Baresi, 66, legend and former captain
Franco Baresi has died at the age of 66, with AC Milan saying his example and integrity will be forever etched into the club's DNA.
Baresi spent his entire 20‑year playing career with the club from 1977 until his retirement in 1997, winning six Serie A titles and three Champions League victories.
Regarded as one of the greatest defenders in football history, he captained Milan for 15 seasons, making 719 appearances and scoring 33 goals.
He earned 81 caps for Italy and was part of the squad that won the 1982 World Cup; he also played in the 1994 final, which Italy lost to Brazil.
In 2020, Baresi became an honorary vice‑president of AC Milan, with the club retiring his number 6 shirt four years later.
He underwent surgery in August 2025 to remove a lung nodule, and his last public appearance was at the San Siro Stadium for the Winter Olympics opening ceremony in February.
AC Milan issued a statement on X: Milan is in tears following the passing of Franco Baresi. His example and integrity will be forever etched into the club's DNA, just as his iconic number 6 shirt is.
