Weah pays tribute to Milan teammate Baresi: ‘Big brother, an irreparable loss’ | OneFootball

George Weah has paid his public respects to his former teammate Franco Baresi, who has died at the age of 66: ‘This unfortunate passing is an irreparable loss’.

Baresi died at the age of 66 on Friday following a battle with illness. He will have a funeral in the city of Milan on Tuesday, which will be attended by countless of his former teammates, colleagues and supporters from his 25-year Rossoneri career.

Tributes for the late, great Baresi have been flooding in all weekend, and former teammate Weah is among the latest to have paid their respects on social media.

Weah, who remains the only African player to have won the Ballon d’Or, spent five years playing alongside Baresi in San Siro between 1995 and the year 2000. They won both the 1995-96 and 1998-99 Serie A titles together under Fabio Capello and Alberto Zaccheroni.

Weah pays his respects to Baresi

MILAN, ITALY – DECEMBER 15: Franco Baresi looks on during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Genoa at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on December 15, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“I am saddened by the news of the passing of my former AC Milan teammate and big brother, Franco Baresi, who lost his battle with a protracted illness on July 31,” Weah wrote in a statement on his official X profile. “Our paths crossed in the late 90s when I first joined the Italian Serie A club.

“​His guidance was crucial in helping me settle in. He was a towering and central figure in the team’s defense who contributed to our various championship wins.

“Baresi will be remembered as one of the greatest defenders in history, having spent his entire 20-year professional soccer career playing for AC Milan.

MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 06: ITALIENISCHE LIGA 98/99; George WEAH/AC MAILAND – EINZELAKTION – (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images)

“This unfortunate passing is an irreparable loss for his family and for AC Milan. I extend my deepest sympathies to his loved ones and the club.

May they find solace in the Lord during this difficult time.”