In brief
Former AC Milan captain Franco Baresi has died at 66. The club mourns his enduring influence and honored him with a retirement of his number 6. Baresi’s career spanned two decades, winning six Serie A titles and three European Cups, and he captained Italy to the 1982 World Cup. Notable accolades include 81 caps for Italy and a 1994 World Cup appearance. His final appearance came in February 2026 for the Olympic opening ceremony.
Franco Baresi has died at the age of 66, with AC Milan saying his example and integrity will be forever etched into the club's DNA.
He spent his entire 20‑year playing career with the club from 1977 until he retired in 1997, hoarding six Serie A titles and three Champions League trophies. Baresi, revered as one of the greatest defenders in football, captained Milan for 15 seasons, making 719 appearances and scoring 33 goals.
On the international stage he earned 81 caps for Italy and was a member of the squad that secured the 1982 World Cup. He also appeared in the 1994 final where Italy faced Brazil.
In 2020 Baresi was appointed honorary vice‑president of AC Milan and the club retired his iconic number 6 shirt four years later, cementing his legacy in the club's history.
In August 2025 he underwent surgery to remove a lung nodule, and his last public appearance was at the San Siro Stadium for the Winter Olympics opening ceremony in February 2026.
In a statement on X, AC Milan wrote: "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."
