Franco Baresi, a revered figure in Italian football and a stalwart for AC Milan and the Italian national team, has died at the age of 66. AC Milan announced his passing, stating that his "example and integrity will be forever etched into the club's DNA."
Baresi played his entire professional career, spanning 20 years from 1977 to 1997, with AC Milan. During his tenure, he captained the club for 15 seasons and amassed 719 appearances, scoring 33 goals. His trophy cabinet includes six Serie A titles and three European Cups, now known as the Champions League.
Regarded as one of the greatest defenders in the history of the sport, Baresi was also a prominent member of the Italian national team, earning 81 caps. He was part of the squad that won the 1982 World Cup and played in the 1994 World Cup final, which Italy lost to Brazil.
AC Milan further honored Baresi by retiring his iconic number six shirt in 2024, four years after he took on the role of honorary vice-president in 2020. The club noted the significance of his retired jersey alongside his lasting impact on the club's identity.
Baresi underwent surgery in August 2025 to remove a lung nodule. His last public appearance was in February at the San Siro Stadium for the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics.