Franco Baresi: AC Milan one-club icon and World Cup winner dies aged 66

Franco Baresi, the legendary AC Milan and Italy defender regarded as one of the greatest in his position, has died aged 66 in the Humanitas hospital in Rozzano after a year-long battle with illness.

Baresi, Milan’s honorary vice-president and a symbol of the club’s modern history, had undergone surgery to remove a lung nodule and had gradually withdrawn from public life over the past year.

His final major public appearance came in February, when he carried the Olympic torch into San Siro alongside former Inter and Italy defender Giuseppe Bergomi as part of the build-up to the Winter Olympic Games.

Milan confirmed his death in an emotional statement, saying: “The entire history of AC Milan mourns the passing of Franco Baresi. His example and integrity will forever be engraved in the club’s DNA, just as his legendary No 6 shirt will remain.”

The club added: “The Milan family offers its deepest condolences to the Baresi family at this difficult time, sentiments shared by all Rossoneri fans who feel this loss as something deeply personal.”

Milan and Italy mourn defensive great

Baresi’s death is being felt far beyond Milan, with the former centre-back widely recognised as one of the finest defenders the game has known. His influence as captain of both Milan and the Italian national team extended well beyond Italy’s borders and turned him into a timeless global symbol of the sport.

He spent his entire professional career with Milan, representing the club for 20 years between 1977 and 1997. His No 6 shirt became so closely associated with his name and with an era of sustained success that, on his retirement, Milan decided to retire the number as a permanent tribute.

With Baresi at the heart of their defence, Milan dominated at home and abroad. He lifted the European Cup – now the Champions League – three times, in 1989, 1990 and 1994, and also won the Intercontinental Cup twice during the club’s late-1980s and early-1990s golden period.

Unique World Cup landmark

On the international stage, Baresi’s record with Italy was equally remarkable. He was part of the squad that lifted the 1982 World Cup in Spain and remains the only player in history to have finished a World Cup in first, second and third place.

He became a world champion in 1982, took third place on home soil at Italia ’90 and then finished as a runner-up at the 1994 World Cup in the United States, cementing his status as one of the tournament’s great figures.

In total, Baresi made 81 appearances for Italy, captaining his country and exemplifying the tactical intelligence and positional awareness associated with Italian defending.

A career of unmatched loyalty and silverware

Baresi’s statistics underline the scale of his contribution. He played 719 matches for Milan in all competitions, a tally that stands as one of the highest in the club’s history.

Domestically, he won six Serie A titles and four Supercoppa Italiana trophies with the Rossoneri, anchoring a side that became a benchmark for defensive organisation and collective discipline.

In addition to his three European Cup triumphs, Baresi also collected two UEFA Super Cup titles and two Intercontinental Cups, before crowning his career with the World Cup win of 1982 – a success often described as the crowning glory of an exceptional football journey.

For Milan supporters, Baresi’s name is synonymous with loyalty, leadership and success. For Italian and world football, his passing marks the loss of a player whose achievements, particularly his unique World Cup record and one-club devotion, have secured him a permanent place in the game’s history.