A great loss shakes the football world: Franco Baresi, one of the greatest and most iconic defenders in the history of Milan and Italian football, passes away at the age of 66. Legendary captain of the Rossoneri and the Italian national team, he was declared European and World champion several times with Milan, while with Italy he is the only footballer to have managed to register a first place (without playing a single minute), a second place and a third place in the World Cup.
The news was announced by the red and black club itself through its social media channels: "Milan history is in tears for the passing of Franco Baresi. His example and depth will remain forever, as will his number 6 shirt, an essential part of the club's DNA and journey. The condolences that AC Milan expresses to Franco Baresi's family are the same that every red and black fan extends to themselves at such a painful moment."
La Storia del Milan is in tears for the passing of Franco Baresi. Il suo esempio e la sua profundo saranno, per semper como la sua maglia numbero 6, parte integrale e fundamentale del DNA e del cammino di tutto il Club. Le condoglianze che AC Milan porge alla famiglia tutta... pic.twitter.com/a8wNOCUc2o
— AC Milan (@acmilan) July 31, 2026
After retiring from football in 1997, Milan decided to finally retire his number 6 shirt. In 2025, he underwent surgery to remove a pulmonary nodule. It seemed that the most difficult period had passed, but a relapse of the disease proved fatal, until the deterioration of the last days, when fake news of his death also circulated.
The last flag
The news of the passing of the red and black legend marks the end of an era for the club on Via Aldo Rossi and for all football fans. Baresi represented Milan for more than 20 years, becoming a symbol of the red and black jersey and a point of reference for entire generations of fans. Raised in the Milan academy, he wore only one jersey throughout his professional career, accumulating successes and writing unforgettable pages in the club's history.
Farewell Baresi: his career with Milan
Franco Baresi was born on 8 May 1960 in Travagliato, in the province of Brescia, two years after his brother Giuseppe, who played for 16 seasons with Inter. His long career in football began at a very young age, when he was spotted by Italo Galbiati and approached the youth teams of Milan. He made his debut with the first team in 1978, at the age of 17, in an away match against Verona.
"Piscinini" became "Kaiser Franz", after experiencing all the club's historical stages: from the glory of the championship title with the star of 1979, to the two seasons in Serie B in the early 80s, to the legendary era of triumphs with Arrigo Sacchi's "Immortals" and Fabio Capello's "Invincibles". Always as captain, with the number 6 on his back and with his arm raised to signal the opponents' offside position. He retired from football at the end of the 1996/97 season, a full 20 years after his first steps with Milan.
Baresi with the national team: from the call of Bearzot to the miracle of Pasadena
Meanwhile, Franco Baresi also became a symbol of the Italian national team. He played his first match in December 1982 against Romania, in the 1984 European Championship qualifiers, but had previously been selected by Enzo Bearzot for Euro 1980 and the victorious 1982 World Cup in Spain, where he was part of Italy's historic group, although he never took to the field.
A starter and protagonist during the Azeglio Vicini era, he led Italy to a bronze medal at the 1990 World Cup, and four years later he was captain at the World Cup in the United States. In that tournament, despite tearing his meniscus in the second match against Norway, he made a remarkable recovery in time for the final against Brazil. There he put in a brilliant performance, but also missed a penalty in the decisive series, where Brazil won the world title. In September of that year he played his last match with the national team, in a Euro 1996 qualifier against Slovenia.
The trophy won
Franco Baresi's career is as extraordinary as his career on the pitch. With Milan he won 6 Italian championship titles, 3 Champions Leagues, 2 UEFA Super Cups, 2 Intercontinental Cups, 2 Serie B titles, 4 Italian Super Cups and 1 Mitropa Cup. With the Italian national team he won the World Cup in 1982, the bronze medal in Italy 1990 and the silver medal in the United States World Cup in 1994.
