The world of football is in mourning after the confirmation of the death of Franco Baresi. It was AC Milan itself, the club of his loves in which he played his entire career, the institution that confirmed the death of the former Italian soccer player at 66 years of age.
"The history of Milan is in tears due to the death of Franco Baresi. His example and his depth will be, forever, like the shirt with the number 6, an integral and fundamental part of the DNA and the journey of the entire club," the club wrote in its statement.
The ex-footballer born in Brescia was a clear example of loyalty and love for the shirt. Franco Baresi was a Milan icon. The Italian defender only wore the “Rosssoneri” and Italian national team shirts throughout his career.
“The condolences that AC Milan expresses to Franco Baresi's entire family are the same ones that every Rossonero fan expresses to himself at a time as difficult as this,” the club added.
Franco Baresi and his health problems
Although the direct relationship between his death and his health problems is not detailed, Franco Baresi was in the middle of a strong fight due to respiratory complications. In August 2025, Baresi was detected with a lung nodule that was surgically removed.
However, the former Milan defender was unable to fully recover from his health problems. His last public appearance was at San Siro. Baresi carried the torch at the Milan Cortina opening ceremony.
Legend of Milan and Italy
Franco Baresi began his successful period with Milan from 1978 until he hung up his boots in 1997. During all that time the former Italian defender played more than 500 games for the club. Baresi won several trophies, including 4 Serie A, 4 Italian Super Cups, 3 European Cups, 3 European Super Cups and 2 Intercontinental Cups.
With the Italian team the legacy was no less. Franco Baresi played 82 games, including 3 World Cups. In 1982 he was part of the team that won the World Cup in Spain. 12 years later he would play a new final against Brazil, but on that occasion luck was not on his side.
