Tributes pour in from Meloni, Maldini and Zanetti for AC Milan legend Franco Baresi. His funeral will take place on Tuesday at Milan’s Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio.
Former Italy and AC Milan defender Franco Baresi, widely regarded as one of the greatest defenders the game has ever seen, died at the age of 66, Milan announced on Friday.
“The entire history of AC Milan is in tears following the passing of Franco Baresi,” the club said via 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.”
A one-club career spanning two decades
A cultured player capable of starting attacks as well as stopping them, Baresi spent his entire career at Milan, making 719 appearances between his debut aged 17 in 1977 and his retirement in 1997. Playing predominantly as a sweeper and centre-back, he helped the club win three European Cup/Champions League titles and six Serie A crowns among a host of other trophies. He also played a key role in guiding Milan back to the top flight twice following relegations in the early 1980s, before Silvio Berlusconi’s takeover transformed the club into a European powerhouse.
At international level, Baresi was part of Italy’s 1982 World Cup-winning squad and later captained the side to the 1994 World Cup final, where they lost to Brazil on penalties.
AC Milan did not disclose the cause of death. Baresi had undergone an operation to remove a lung nodule last year.
Baresi’s funeral will take place on Tuesday at Milan’s Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio. The current AC Milan squad will not be able to attend, as the team is currently on a pre-season tour of Australia and Indonesia.
Meloni: “A point of reference, both on and off the field”
Premier Giorgia Meloni led political tributes to Baresi. “With the passing of Franco Baresi, Italy not only loses one of the greatest champions in its sporting history, but also an example of loyalty, seriousness, and dedication,” she said via X. “The captain of AC Milan and the national team, he wore the same colours for his entire career, living with loyalty as a value and the captain’s armband a responsibility. He showed that one can become a legend without ever ceasing to be a point of reference, both on and off the field. I extend my most sincere condolences to his family, to the fans, and to all those who loved him.”
Sports Minister pays emotional tribute
Sports Minister Andrea Abodi paid an emotional tribute via social media. “Dear Franco, on the field you ‘tamed’ every opponent with your talent, in life you fought with the same spirit until the very last second of a match that was far more complex,” he wrote. “Today you leave the ‘field’ once again with your head held high and you leave us in tears, just as happened to you in the final of the 1994 World Cup in America.
“You were an exemplary athlete and man, a symbol of loyalty, passion, and sporting dedication, never over the top, never a word out of place, with your class, humility, and the reserve that always distinguished you. You inspired generations of athletes and fans by contributing to writing indelible pages in the history of Azzurri sport and your beloved AC Milan. Thank you for what you were, for having accepted to be the torch-bearer during the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina Olympics, a moving and deeply meaningful moment. Your memory will live on in the heritage of values that you knew how to embody on and off the field, so that your legend may serve as an example in a world of football that we want to be better.”
Maldini: “The greatest footballer I ever had the honour of playing with”
Paolo Maldini, who like Baresi spent his entire career at Milan, offered one of the day’s most personal tributes. “Ciao Franco, today I feel the same way as I did when, for whatever reason, you couldn’t take the field alongside us: what will we do without our Captain?” he wrote on Instagram.
“You taught me to fight until my very last breath, what it means to be truly devoted to the jersey and the value of being a real leader. You led by example, every single day: few words, but lots of action. You protected me when I was a child, guided me as a young man, and inspired me as an adult. You were the greatest footballer I ever had the honour of playing with. I send a warm embrace to your entire family, especially your wife Maura and your sons, Edoardo and Giannandrea. We will miss you, Captain. But the light of your star will continue to guide us forever.”
Former Inter Milan captain Javier Zanetti was also among the many figures from Italian football to pay their respects, describing Baresi simply as a club icon, a captain and a legend, adding that his number 6 shirt would remain forever associated with his name.
