Franco Baresi, AC Milan Legend and 1982 World Cup Winner, Dies at 66
Franco Baresi, the revered AC Milan defender and 1982 FIFA World Cup champion, has died at the age of 66. The club announced his passing, honoring him as a cornerstone of its history.
AC Milan released a statement saying the club’s history is in tears, and that Baresi’s example and the symbolic number 6 shirt will remain part of its DNA forever.
Baresi had undergone surgery for a lung nodule in 2025 and had recently returned to public life, even serving as a torchbearer at the opening ceremony of the Milan‑Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, where he carried the Olympic flame before thousands.
Widely regarded as one of football’s greatest defenders, Baresi spent his entire professional career at AC Milan after joining the youth academy in 1974. He made his Serie A debut in 1978 and captained the Rossoneri for more than a decade, becoming the face of one of the club’s most successful eras.
Over 20 years with Milan, Baresi made 719 appearances, securing six Serie A titles and three European Cups/UEFA Champions League trophies. His iconic number 6 jersey was retired by the club after his retirement in 1997.
On the international stage, he earned 81 caps for Italy and was a key member of the squad that won the 1982 World Cup in Spain. He later captained the Azzurri to the final of the 1994 World Cup in the United States, where Italy finished as runners‑up after losing to Brazil on a penalty shootout.
Although Baresi missed his penalty in that shootout, he remained one of Italy’s most admired footballers for his leadership, composure and unwavering loyalty.
Born in Travagliato near Brescia, Baresi was rejected by city rivals Inter Milan as a youngster before joining AC Milan. Despite interest from top European clubs throughout his career, he stayed loyal to the Rossoneri, becoming one of the few elite players to spend his entire playing career with a single club.
After retiring, Baresi continued to serve AC Milan in executive and ambassadorial roles, mentoring young players and staying closely linked to the club.
His death marks the end of an era, but his legacy endures in the hearts of fans and the history of the sport.
