Baresi and Bergomi the ‘secret’ torchbearers at 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony | OneFootball

Italian legends Franco Baresi and Beppe Bergomi were two of the torchbearers at the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony on Friday. ‘We were good at keeping it secret,’ said the ex-Milan star.

The opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics had a touch of Italian football, not just because the event was held at San Siro, the home of Serie A giants Milan and Inter.

Milan legend Baresi, the club’s current honorary vice-president, was one of the torchbearers, along with Inter legend Bergomi.

MILAN, ITALY – DECEMBER 15: Filippo Inzaghi, Franco Baresi and Marco van Basten with their commemorative plate after being inducted in to the AC Milan Hall of Fame prior to 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)

The former defenders carried the torch inside the Stadio Meazza in a surprise appearance that thrilled the crowd.

“It was the most emotional moment of my sporting life. I’ve never felt anything like it,” Baresi told Repubblica.

“You hold that torch between your fingers, and you know it carries the history of sport, in a way also that of human civilisation. An incredibly powerful symbol.”

Even Baresi was unaware he’d be involved in the opening ceremony until a few weeks ago.

“About a month and a half ago, the president of CONI called me,” said the Milan legend.

“I replied: ‘Are you sure? I’m not really in great shape.’ He said: ‘No worries, you won’t have to go very far.’ It was a great honour, completely unexpected.”

Baresi initially didn’t know he’d share the stage with Bergomi.

‘Nobody knew’ Baresi and Bergomi were among the torchbearers

17 Mar 1999: Giuseppe Bergomi of Inter Milan is chased by Andy Cole of Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg match at the San Siro in Milan, Italy. United went through 3-1 on aggregate after a 1-1 draw on the night. \ Mandatory Credit: Stu Forster /Allsport

“At first, no, I found out later. And were good at keeping it secret, really, nobody knew about this,” he admitted.

This past August, Baresi underwent surgery to remove a pulmonary nodule and began a course of immunotherapy.

“I’m doing much better now. The worst is over, even though it was tough,” he said.

“Being an athlete helped me fight, and my body allowed me to endure. In the end, I’ve done it my whole life. I’ve always fought, on the field and off it. No one ever gifted me anything.

“The hardest thing to accept is that everything can change in an instant. No one takes it into account before it happens. No one is truly ready to face it, but then you have to. There’s no other choice. Now my lungs are working well again, and I’m only thinking about the future.”

When Baresi made his surprise appearance last night, he was warmly greeted by the crowd.

“Maybe it’s true. People know what happened to me, and I know that people know,” he concluded.

“There’s no need for any words; the warmth I felt was overwhelming.”