Italian football is in mourning. Franco Baresi, the legendary captain of Milan and one of the greatest figures in the club’s history, passed away this Friday at the age of 66 following an illness, as confirmed by the “Rossoneri” on social media.
Milan announced the news with a heartfelt message highlighting the former defender’s legacy.
“The Milan family is in tears over the passing of Franco Baresi. His example and his character will forever remain—just like the No. 6 jersey—an integral and fundamental part of the club’s DNA and its history,” the club posted. It also expressed its condolences to the former soccer player’s family and to all the fans who supported him throughout his historic career.
Baresi was the ultimate example of loyalty to the colors of Milan. He joined the club’s youth ranks in the 1970s and made his Serie A debut on April 23, 1978, at just 17 years old. From that moment on, he embarked on a career that lasted until 1997, always defending the “rossonera” jersey.
Over the course of nearly two decades, he played in more than 500 matches and amassed an impressive list of titles, including six Serie A titles, four Italian Super Cups, three European Cups, three European Super Cups, two Intercontinental Cups, and one Mitropa Cup, establishing himself as one of the greatest defenders in the history of world soccer.
In August 2025, during a routine medical checkup, a lung nodule was detected and surgically removed. However, he never fully recovered. His last public appearance at San Siro was as a torchbearer during the opening ceremony of Milan Cortina, accompanied by Inter’s legendary captain, Giuseppe Bergomi.
After retiring from the field, Baresi remained connected to Milan, where he continued to hold roles within the organization and maintained his close relationship with the club. As a tribute to his extraordinary career, the club retired the number 6 jersey—an honor reserved for one of the most important figures in its history.
With the Italian national team, he played in 82 matches and participated in three World Cups. He was part of the championship-winning squad at the 1982 World Cup in Spain and, twelve years later, reached the final of the 1994 World Cup in the United States, where the “Azzurri” lost to Brazil in a penalty shootout.
Franco Baresi’s death leaves a profound void at Milan and in Italian soccer, where he will be remembered as one of the greatest defenders of all time and an eternal symbol of the “Rossoneri” club.
