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Legendary Italy and AC Milan defender Franco Baresi has passed away at the age of 66.
Baresi’s passing was confirmed in a statement released by 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.”
On Wednesday evening, Milan dismissed false rumours circulating on social media that Baresi had already died following a period of ill health, saying he was going through a difficult and delicate time.
The club’s honorary vice-president revealed in August 2025 that he had undergone surgery to remove a pulmonary nodule and would begin a course of immunotherapy.
In 1999, Baresi was voted Milan’s Player of the Century. After his final season at Milan in 1997, the club retired Baresi’s shirt number 6.
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He was named by Pelé 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.
With the Italy national team, he was a member of the squad that won the 1982 FIFA World Cup, the first in 44 years. He also played in the 1990 World Cup held on home soil, where he was named in the FIFA World Cup All-Star Team, while leading them to a third place in the tournament.
At the 1994 World Cup, he was named Italy’s captain and was part of the squad that reached the final, although he would miss a penalty in the resulting shoot-out as Brazil lifted the trophy.
Also, Baresi represented Italy at two UEFA European Championships, in 1980 and 1988, and at the 1984 Olympics, reaching the semi-finals on each occasion.
