Milan bid farewell to one of its most revered football figures, Franco Baresi, at a funeral service held Tuesday morning following his death last week at the age of 66.
Baresi, a lifelong AC Milan player who spent his entire 20-year career at the San Siro, was celebrated for his enduring legacy, including his captaincy and the retirement of his No. 6 jersey by the club. Fans lined the streets surrounding the Basilica di Sant'Ambrogio, waving replica jerseys in tribute to their "eternal Capitano."
Among the prominent attendees were Baresi's former teammates, including defensive partner Paolo Maldini, who is now the technical president of the Italian Football Federation. Ballon d'Or winner Marco van Basten served as a pallbearer, and fellow luminaries such as Roberto Baggio, Mauro Tassotti, Clarence Seedorf, and Alessandro Costacurta were also present.
Daniele Massaro, Roberto Donadoni, and Filippo Galli were among those who carried Baresi's coffin into the church, with others including Massimo Ambrosini and Marco Simone accompanying it upon its exit.
The current AC Milan squad, currently on pre-season tour in Australia, was represented by injured players Christian Pulisic and Santiago Gimenez. The team is scheduled to wear black armbands in their upcoming match against Inter Milan in Perth.
AC Milan chairman Paolo Scaroni and Gerry Cardinale, founder of the club's owner RedBird, were in attendance, though reports indicated they were met with boos from some fans upon arrival. Chants of "there's only one captain" and "you are forever Franco Baresi" were heard, alongside renditions of "You'll Never Walk Alone."
Fabio Capello, Baresi's former manager, received applause. Former players Dejan Savicevic and Daniele Massaro carried Baresi's signed captain's armband. Representatives from the Italian national team and other Serie A clubs, including rivals Inter Milan, were also present.
Beppe Bergomi, a former rival and friend, read the first reading. Bergomi had recently appeared with Baresi, bringing the Olympic flame into the San Siro for the Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony.
Baresi, long considered one of the greatest defenders, captained Milan for 14 years, securing six Serie A titles and three European Cups. His career began after he was initially overlooked by Inter Milan's academy due to his perceived frailty, leading him to AC Milan's youth system. He debuted for the senior team at 17, earning the nickname "Piscinin" from a club masseur.
Despite the club's relegation in the 1980 Totonero scandal and again in 1982, Baresi remained loyal, helping lead Milan through its golden eras under managers Arrigo Sacchi and Fabio Capello. His pivotal role in Milan's defense solidified his legendary status, and he was named Ballon d'Or runner-up in 1989.
Internationally, Baresi was part of Italy's 1982 World Cup-winning squad and was a key figure in the 1994 final, where Italy lost to Brazil on penalties. He had previously undergone lung surgery in August 2025 for a pulmonary nodule and received cancer-prevention immunotherapy.
