AC Milan and Italy legend Franco Baresi dies aged 66

AC Milan and Italy icon Franco Baresi has died at the age of 66, bringing an end to the life of one of football’s greatest defenders and one of the most celebrated one-club players in the game’s history. The Serie A giants confirmed the news on Friday, paying tribute to the former captain whose legacy shaped one of the club’s most successful eras.

Baresi spent his entire 20-year professional career with Milan after making his debut in 1977, going on to make 719 appearances and score 33 goals before retiring in 1997. During that remarkable spell, he won six Serie A titles, three European Cups/Champions League trophies, four Supercoppa Italiana titles, two European Super Cups and two Intercontinental Cups.

Widely regarded as one of the finest defenders of all time, Baresi captained Milan for 15 seasons and formed a legendary backline alongside Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Costacurta and Mauro Tassotti, helping establish one of the strongest defences in European football history.

On the international stage, Baresi earned 81 caps for Italy and was part of the squad that won the 1982 FIFA World Cup. Twelve years later, he captained the Azzurri in the 1994 World Cup final against Brazil. Despite recovering from a serious knee injury in time to produce a memorable defensive display, Italy lost on penalties after Baresi missed the opening spot-kick in the shootout.

Following his retirement, Baresi remained closely associated with Milan. He was appointed the club’s honorary vice-president in 2020, while his iconic No. 6 shirt was officially retired four years later in recognition of his extraordinary contribution.

In a heartfelt statement, Milan said: “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.” The club later added that Baresi had embodied the heart and soul of AC Milan and that his memory would continue to inspire future generations.

Tributes quickly poured in from across the football world. Former teammate Paolo Maldini described Baresi as the greatest player he had ever shared a pitch with, thanking him for teaching him the meaning of leadership and devotion to the Milan shirt. Italy great Gianluigi Buffon recalled facing Baresi as a teenager, while city rivals Inter Milan praised the former defender as one of the defining figures in the history of the Milan derby. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also paid tribute, calling him not only one of Italy’s greatest sporting champions but also an example of loyalty, dedication and integrity.

Baresi underwent surgery to remove a lung nodule in August 2025 and made his final public appearance earlier this year at the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Milan. His passing marks the loss of one of football’s true icons, a player whose loyalty, leadership and brilliance left an enduring mark on both AC Milan and the sport itself.