Legendary AC Milan defender Franco Baresi dies at 66

Franco Baresi, the legendary Italian defender and former captain of AC Milan, has passed away at the age of 66. The Milan club announced his death on Friday, paying tribute to his indelible legacy.

"Milan mourns the departure of Franco Baresi, who, like his No. 6 jersey, will forever remain an inseparable and fundamental part of the club's DNA and history," the club stated. Baresi, who became an honorary vice-president of AC Milan in 2020, spent his entire career with the Rossoneri, making a record 719 appearances.

Born in May 1960, Baresi joined AC Milan's youth academy in 1974 and debuted for the first team in 1978. He became a regular starter at 18 and captain at 22. He formed a formidable defensive partnership with teammates like Paolo Maldini, Mauro Tassotti, and Alessandro Costacurta, striking fear into opposing strikers across Europe.

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Milan mourns the departure of Franco Baresi, who, like his No. 6 jersey, will forever remain an inseparable and fundamental part of the club's DNA and history.

Baresi was a key figure in AC Milan's dominant era, winning three European Cups and six Serie A titles. He was also part of Italy's 1982 World Cup-winning squad, although he did not play in the tournament. He was the runner-up for the Ballon d'Or in 1989, behind Marco van Basten. In August 2025, Baresi underwent surgery to remove a nodule from his lung, at which time he stated, "Dear fans, I will need some time to regain full strength."

The cause of Baresi's death was not immediately disclosed by AC Milan.

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Dear fans, I will need some time to regain full strength.