Franco Baresi, AC Milan Legend, Passes at 66

AC Milan lost a pillar of the club when former captain and legendary defender Franco Baresi died at the age of 66. Baresi was a cornerstone of Milan’s dominance during the 1980s and 1990s, accumulating six Serie A titles and three European Cups over a twenty‑year playing career.

Franco Baresi became captain of AC Milan at 22 and wore the iconic number 6 until his retirement in 1997.

Internationally, Baresi earned 81 caps for Italy and was a key part of the squad that claimed the 1982 FIFA World Cup, though he also played in the 1994 final defeat to Brazil. In 2020 he was honored with an honorary vice‑presidency at AC Milan, and the club retired his number six shirt in 2024.

The 66‑year‑old suffered a lung nodule operation in August 2025; his final public appearance was at the San Siro Stadium’s opening ceremony for the Winter Olympics in February. AC Milan’s statement on X noted: “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.”