When a club bids farewell to one of its players in this way, it becomes clear that he is much more than a legend, and Franco Baresi is part of the AC Milan crest, the club that has announced the player’s death at the age of 66.
The cause of death has not yet been revealed, but in August 2025, the former player had undergone surgery to remove a lung nodule. The player himself warned that “I will need some time to recover all my strength” at that time.
And mind you, he was captain of a team that included Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Costacurta, Carlo Ancelotti, Marco Van Basten and Mauro Tassotti, which gives you an idea of Baresi’s leadership abilities.
Baresi broke the mould of the burly, rugged centre-back. Franco was thin and lanky, but he compensated for his physical limitations with impeccable technique and elegance, as well as superb anticipation.
Now, if there’s one thing that made Baresi stand out, it was his leadership on the field. With just a glance, he could organise a legendary defence that was always super effective.
In fact, under the guidance of Franco Baresi, AC Milan became the dominant force in European football in the late 80s and early 90s.
Finally, Franco Baresi hung up his boots in 1997, after 23 years at the club, 15 of them as captain and, among other titles, six Scudettos and three European Cups.
He played 719 matches for the Rossoneri -a record surpassed only by Maldini -in addition to 81 appearances for Italy, with whom he won the 1982 World Cup and lost in the 1990 semi-finals and the 1994 final, both on penalties.
One only needs to compare the current international situation of Italy to further appreciate the achievements of Baresi’s Italy. His greatness led AC Milan to retire his number 6 jersey the same year he left the club. A number 6 that now has even greater significance.
Now, if there is one thing that defines the career, life and trajectory of a footballer, it is the treatment he receives from his biggest rival, and, in this case, Inter Milan has not hesitated to praise the greatness of one of the legends of football.
“Farewell to Franco Baresi, protagonist of the great challenges of the Milan Derby and one of the figures who have most defined the history of the rivalry. Captain, team man and standard-bearer of Milan, he has lived every encounter with Inter with competition and respect, within a challenge that has written unforgettable pages of Italian football.”
