Franco Baresi, the legendary former AC Milan and Italy defender, has died at the age of 66.
World Cup 2026
One of football’s greatest and most iconic centre backs, Baresi played his whole career in red and black — captaining Milan for 15 seasons — and was a World Cup winner with his country.
“The entire history of AC Milan is in tears,” Milan said in a statement Friday.
“His example and integrity will remain forever embedded in the club’s DNA, just like his iconic number 6 shirt. The condolences that AC Milan extend to the family of Franco Baresi in this difficult time are shared by every Rossonero, who feels this loss as their own.”
Match Details
No cause of death was given. In August 2025, Baresi underwent surgery to remove a pulmonary nodule and subsequently began a course of immunotherapy.
His last public appearance was at the opening ceremony for the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics in February, when along with former Inter Milan defender Giuseppe Bergomi, he carried the torch into the San Siro — the stadium he formerly played in.
Baresi played for Milan for 20 years, winning three European Cups and six Serie A titles. He earned 81 caps for Italy, winning the 1982 World Cup.
Tournament Impact
“Everyone at the club and all the Milanisti must live up to Franco Baresi’s memory,” his former club added. “We must be strong and gather every bit of energy, even at this saddest of times.”
A true one-club man, Baresi progressed through the ranks at Milan and made his first-team debut at the age of 17 in April 1978.
He chose to stay with Milan even after it was relegated to Serie B — for the second time in three seasons — in 1982, just before he helped Italy win the World Cup that summer and was given the captaincy at the age of 22.
Stay informed with the latest news on Wararka.so — your trusted source for Somalia and world news.
