Franco Baresi, one of football's greatest defenders and the enduring symbol of AC Milan's golden era, has died at the age of 66. The Italian club confirmed the news on Friday, bringing an end to the life of a player who spent his entire 20-year professional career with the Rossoneri and helped redefine defending through his intelligence, leadership and composure on the ball.
Baresi, who had undergone surgery for a pulmonary nodule in 2025, remained active in public life despite his health struggles and was among the torchbearers at the opening ceremony of the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics earlier this year.
Confirming the news on social media, AC Milan wrote: "The entire history of AC Milan is in tears following the passing of Franco Baresi. 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."
La Storia del Milan è in lacrime per la scomparsa di Franco Baresi. Il suo esempio e la sua profondità saranno, per sempre come la sua maglia numero 6, parte integrante e fondamentale del DNA e del cammino di tutto il Club. Le condoglianze che AC Milan porge alla famiglia tutta… pic.twitter.com/a8wNOCUc2o
— AC Milan (@acmilan) July 31, 2026
Widely regarded as one of the finest defenders the game has produced, Baresi won six Serie A titles and three European Cups with AC Milan, captaining the club for 15 seasons before retiring in 1997. His iconic No. 6 shirt was retired by Milan, the first jersey in the club's history to receive that honour. At international level, he won the 1982 FIFA World Cup with Italy and captained the Azzurri to the 1994 World Cup final, famously returning from knee surgery to play all 120 minutes against Brazil.
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More than the trophies, Baresi was celebrated for transforming the sweeper role. His anticipation, positional awareness and ability to build attacks from the back made him the cornerstone of Arrigo Sacchi's and Fabio Capello's legendary Milan side.
Tributes poured in from across Italy and the footballing world soon after news of his death was confirmed.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was among the first leaders to pay tribute to Baresi, describing him as one of the greatest figures in Italian sporting history.
In a post on X, Meloni wrote, "With the passing of Franco Baresi, Italy loses not only one of the greatest champions in its sports history, but also an example of loyalty, seriousness, and dedication. Captain of AC Milan and the National Team, he wore the same colors for an entire career, living fidelity as a value and the captain's armband as a responsibility. He showed that one can become a legend without ever ceasing to be a point of reference, on and off the field. To his family, to the fans, and to all those who loved him, I extend my most sincere condolences."
Con la scomparsa di Franco Baresi, l'Italia perde non solo uno dei più grandi campioni della sua storia sportiva, ma anche un esempio di lealtà, serietà e dedizione.
— Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) July 31, 2026
Capitano del Milan e della Nazionale, ha indossato gli stessi colori per un'intera carriera, vivendo la fedeltà… pic.twitter.com/MAWRCb4HQQ
Former Italy goalkeeper and World Cup winner Gianluigi Buffon also paid tribute to Baresi, recalling the legendary defender's impact on him during his Serie A debut nearly three decades ago.
"On November 19, 1995, I made my Serie A debut against Milan. I was 17 years old, and on the other side was the captain of that team: Franco Baresi. For a boy my age, finding myself on the field against champions like him was something incredible. From that day on, I had an even clearer understanding of what it meant to represent football with class, leadership, and respect. Hello Franco. Rest in peace."
Il 19 novembre 1995 ho esordito in Serie A contro il Milan. Avevo 17 anni e dall'altra parte c'era il capitano di quella squadra: Franco Baresi.
— Gianluigi Buffon (@gianluigibuffon) July 31, 2026
Per un ragazzo della mia età, trovarsi in campo contro campioni come lui era qualcosa di incredibile. Da quel giorno ho avuto ancora… pic.twitter.com/dxczczBvGw
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher described Baresi as "the greatest centre-back I ever saw."
It's always a sad day for football when one of the all time greats pass away, and that's exactly what Franco Baresi was.
— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) July 31, 2026
I've always seen him as the greatest centre back I ever saw & the ultimate one club man 🔴⚫️
RIP Capitano ❤️ https://t.co/AS3D57it8i
A video of Diego Maradona praising Baresi also resurfaced on social media following news of his death. In the clip, recorded after Napoli's clash with AC Milan in 1989, the Argentine legend described Baresi as "the best defender" and said the Milan captain's shirt would remain "a memory that I will keep for the rest of my life."
Diego Maradona after Napoli v Milan in 1989:
— Tribuna Football (@tribuna_ftbl) July 31, 2026
“This one is from a big player. I think that Franco Baresi is the best defender. This shirt will be a memory that I will keep for the rest of my life."
🥀 pic.twitter.com/wgJ9wlWmsV
Inter Milan also paid tribute to one of their fiercest rivals, calling Baresi "one of the key figures" in the history of the Milan derby.
Goodbye to Franco Baresi, our opponent in many a Derby and one of the key figures in the history of this rivalry. AC Milan's captain, talisman and legend, in his matches against Inter, he always walked the path between competitiveness and respect, in one of the most influential… pic.twitter.com/ubtOHnQptx
— Inter ⭐⭐ (@Inter_en) July 31, 2026
Juventus also paid tribute to Baresi, saying the former AC Milan captain would be remembered not only for his talent but also for his humanity. Posting on X, the Turin club wrote: "There are people who, with their talent, enter history. 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 @acmilan in this moment of profound sorrow."
Ci sono persone che, con il loro talento, entrano nella storia. E altre che, con la loro umanità, vi restano per sempre. Franco Baresi è stato entrambe le cose. Classe, stile, leadership e rispetto dentro e fuori dal campo. Un esempio per generazioni di calciatori e tifosi, amato…
— JuventusFC (@juventusfc) July 31, 2026
FC Barcelona described Baresi as a "legend of Italian football and forever captain of AC Milan."
FC Barcelona wishes to express their sincerest condolences at the passing of Franco Baresi, legend of Italian football and forever captain of AC Milan.
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) July 31, 2026
His leadership, elegance and legacy in the world of football will remain always in the fans' memory.
Riposa in pace, Franco.
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