AC Milan confirmed on Tuesday that Franco Baresi, the club’s legendary defender and honorary vice‑president, died at the age of 66. The statement highlighted his lifelong dedication to the Rossoneri and underscored the profound loss felt by the organization and its supporters.
Baresi entered the professional ranks with Milan in 1981 and remained with the club for the entirety of his 20‑year career. As captain for fifteen seasons, he led the side to six Serie A championships and three European trophies, forging a reputation for elegance, intelligence and unwavering loyalty.
His number six shirt was retired by the club in a ceremony that cemented his status as the first player ever to receive that honor, a testament to the indelible mark he left on Milan’s history.
The final months
Earlier in 2025 Baresi underwent surgery to excise a pulmonary nodule discovered during routine examinations. The removed mass was never definitively identified as malignant, and Milan’s announcement left the precise cause of death undisclosed.
Beyond the pitch, Baresi was chosen to carry the Olympic flame at the opening ceremony of the Milan‑Cortina Winter Games in February 2026, a role that reflected his standing as a national icon and a symbol of perseverance.