Franco Baresi, the AC Milan and Italy defender widely regarded as one of the finest of his generation, has died at the age of 66.
Milan announced his death on Friday morning, paying tribute to the man who wore the Rossoneri shirt for 20 years. "The history of Milan is in tears at the passing of Franco Baresi," the club said. "His example and his depth, forever like his number six shirt, will remain a fundamental part of the DNA and the path of the whole Club."
Baresi had been treated for a pulmonary nodule in 2025 and spent his final years battling illness. His last major public appearance came in February, when he carried the Olympic flame into San Siro at the opening ceremony of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Games alongside Beppe Bergomi.
A one-club man, Baresi made his Serie A debut under Nils Liedholm in 1978 and retired in 1997 after 719 appearances, captaining the side for 15 years. He won six Serie A titles, three European Cups and two Intercontinental Cups, anchoring the great Milan teams of the Sacchi and Capello eras, and his number six shirt has been retired by the club.
Baresi also earned 81 caps for Italy. He was part of the squad that won the 1982 World Cup in Spain and captained the Azzurri at the 1994 finals in the United States, where Italy lost to Brazil on penalties and Baresi was the first player to miss from the spot.
Italian and world football mourned one of the greatest defenders the game has produced as tributes poured in on Friday.
Sources
- [Tuttomercatoweb](https://www.tuttomercatoweb.com/serie-a/lutto-calcio-morto-franco-baresi-leggenda-milan-66-2258399)
- [Gazzetta dello Sport](https://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Serie-A/Milan/31-07-2026/franco-baresi-morto-66-anni-capitano-milan-nazionale.shtml)
- [ANSA](https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/sport/2026/07/31/morto-franco-baresi-bandiera-del-milan_1b73ea5b-b4e8-4a14-aaf4-12a756b6679b.html)
