Franco Baresi, the legendary AC Milan defender and World Cup winner with Italy, has died at the age of 66.
The entire history of AC Milan is in tears, the club announced on Friday morning, following Baresi's passing.
Baresi's death comes just a few months after his last public appearance at Milan's San Siro stadium in February, when he carried the torch into the opening ceremony for the Winger Olympics.
Italian Football Federation President Giovanni Malago declared, "Italian football has lost one of its legends," adding, "An extraordinary champion who wore only two jerseys throughout his career: AC Milan and the Azzurri."
Baresi played for AC Milan for his entire 20-year career, winning three Champions League titles with the club, and is widely regarded as one of the finest defenders in football history.
He played 719 times for the club, and during that time, won six Serie A crowns, with his first Scudetto coming as a teenager during the 1978-79 campaign.
Baresi was also a key member of the Italy squad that won the World Cup in 1982, and he featured in the 1994 World Cup, which ended in a penalty shootout defeat to Brazil in the final.
AC Milan has announced that Baresi's No. 6 jersey will be retired, a first for Italian football, and the club will hold a celebration match in his honor, featuring many stars Baresi had played with and against.
Baresi's last public appearance in a packed San Siro, at the Milan Winter Olympics opening ceremony, was an event on the world stage he helped make unforgettable, according to the club.
In memory of Franco, we stand united, knowing he'll guide and push us throughout our Rossoneri journey, AC Milan said, in a statement paying tribute to the former captain.
Baresi underwent surgery to remove a pulmonary nodule in August 2025, and had been receiving treatment, but the cause of his death has not been given.
The condolences AC Milan extends to Baresi's family at such a difficult time are shared by every Rossonero, who feels this loss as their own, the club said.
Baresi's example and integrity will be forever etched into the Club's DNA, just as his iconic number 6 shirt is, the club added, in a statement that reflects the enduring impact of the legendary defender.
Source: Yahoo Sports