Legendary Italy and AC Milan defender Franco Baresi has passed away at the age of 66.
Baresi’s passing was confirmed in an official statement released by AC Milan on Friday morning:
“The entire history of AC 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 condolences AC Milan extends to Franco Baresi’s family at such a difficult time are shared by every Rossonero, who feels this loss as their own.”
The club’s honorary vice-president underwent surgery in August 2025 to remove a pulmonary nodule and subsequently underwent a course of immunotherapy.
Voted AC Milan’s Player of the Century in 1999, Baresi spent his entire 20-year professional career with the Rossoneri, making 719 appearances. Following his final season in 1997, the club retired his iconic No. 6 shirt in honor of his service.
He was named by Pelé as one of the 125 Greatest Living Footballers at the FIFA centenary awards ceremony in 2004 and was inducted into the Italian Football Hall of Fame in 2013.
On the international stage, Baresi was part of the Italy squad that won the 1982 FIFA World Cup in Spain. He also featured at the 1990 World Cup on home soil, earning a place in the FIFA World Cup All-Star Team as Italy secured a third-place finish.
At the 1994 World Cup in the United States, he captained the Azzurri to the final against Brazil. Additionally, Baresi represented Italy at two UEFA European Championships, in 1980 and 1988, as well as the 1984 Olympics, reaching the semi-finals on each occasion.
