Franco Baresi dies aged 66 as football mourns passing of legendary AC Milan and Italy defender
Updated 31/07/2026 at 10:22 GMT+1
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AC Milan are mourning the passing of legendary former star Franco Baresi after he passed away at the age of 66. The football world has also paid tribute to the Italy great, who won the World Cup during his long playing career.
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The centre-back spent the entirety of his 20-year playing career with Milan, winning six Serie A titles and three European Cups.
Capped 81 times by Italy, he was also a part of the 1982 World Cup-winning squad, and also was captain of the Azzurri side that finished runners-up in 1994.
"The entire history of AC Milan is in tears following the passing of Franco Baresi," Milan posted on X.
"His example and integrity will be forever etched into the Club's DNA, just as his iconic number 6 shirt is.
"The condolences AC Milan extends to Franco Baresi's family at such a difficult time are shared by every Rossonero, who feels this loss as their own."
When Baresi, who had surgery in August 2025 to remove a pulmonary nodule, hung up his boots in 1997, Milan also retired his No. 6 jersey.
Baresi was one of the torchbearers for the Olympic flame at the opening ceremony for the Milano Cortina Winter Games.
In a further statement on the club's website, Milan wrote: "It's not easy to communicate the loss of a heartbeat, one of the breaths of our soul. But all of AC Milan and all AC Milan fans must try to live up to Franco Baresi.
"We must find strength and summon all our strength, even amid the tears and emotion of a deeply moving moment.
"Franco has left us, after giving us just a few months ago his last great, proud image of himself in a packed stadium, connected to the entire world, for an opening ceremony of the Milan Winter Olympics that he made historic.
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Franco Baresi makes an appearance on the pitch in 2024
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"Let's all embrace Franco's immense memory, knowing that he will always hold our hand and give us extra motivation for every moment of our Rossoneri lives. Forever. Because Baresi is forever."
Internazionale said that Baresi was "one of the figures who most defined the history of the rivalry" between the two Milan clubs.
Juventus paid their own tribute to Baresi, hailing his "class, style, leadership and respect".
"There are people who, with their talent, enter history," the club said in a statement on X. "And others who, with their humanity, remain there forever.
"Franco Baresi was both. Class, style, leadership, and respect on and off the field. An example for generations of players and fans, loved and admired by all football enthusiasts.
"His memory will live on forever. Juventus Football Club stands in solidarity with the Baresi family and AC Milan in this moment of profound sorrow."
Lazio said on X: "Lazio joins the family in mourning the passing of Franco Baresi, the unforgettable defensive stalwart of the Italian national team and of Milan."
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