Football Mourns the Loss of Milan and Italy Icon Baresi | OneFootball

Legendary Milan defender Franco Baresi has passed away at age 66, the club confirmed. His elegance, command, and ability in the back made him one of the most recognized symbols of Italian football. He had been battling a lung nodule for the past year, La Repubblica reports.

The center-back spent his entire career with the Rossoneri, entering their youth academy in the 70’s and debuting in Serie A at just 17. He made over 500 appearances and racked up six Scudetto, three UEFA Champions League, four Supercoppa Italiana, three European Super Cups, two Intercontinental Cups and one Mitropa Cup. He was one of the linchpins of Arrigo Sacchi’s squad and was the Ballon d’Or runner-up in 1989, behind his teammate Marco Van Basten.

Baresi made his last public appearance during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina, carrying the flame alongside Inter icon Giuseppe Bergomi in the final stretch in San Siro.

The stalwart represented Italy 81 times, from 1982 to 1994, and was part of the squad that won the Azzurri’s third World Cup, although he didn’t play during such a tournament. He had a brief hiatus due to a falling-out with coach Enzo Bearzot, but returned in 1986 and went on to play until 1994, taking part in the World Cup final that year despite a knee injury.

Baresi mostly worked for Milan as an exec after his retirement, with a brief experience at Fulham in 2002. He coached at the youth level in the early 2000’s before returning to a front office role later. He had been serving as a brand ambassador and honorary vice president in recent years.