Franco Baresi, the former AC Milan and Italy captain widely regarded as one of the finest defenders in football history, has died at the age of 66. AC Milan announced his death on Friday, without disclosing a cause.
Baresi underwent surgery in August 2025 to remove a pulmonary nodule and later began immunotherapy, according to reports. His last public appearance came in February, when he and former Inter Milan defender Giuseppe Bergomi carried the Olympic torch into the San Siro during the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics opening ceremony.
In a statement, AC Milan said the club’s entire history was in mourning, adding that Baresi’s example and integrity would remain embedded in its identity, just as his retired number six jersey. The club extended condolences to his family on behalf of every supporter.
Baresi spent his entire 20-year career at AC Milan, making 719 appearances and captaining the side for 15 seasons. He debuted at 17 in April 1978 and stayed loyal to the club through its 1982 relegation to Serie B, the same year he helped Italy win the World Cup.
He went on to win six Serie A titles, three European Cups, two Intercontinental Cups and four Italian Super Cups, and earned 81 caps for Italy, including an appearance in the 1994 World Cup final, which Italy lost to Brazil on penalties.
Rejected by Inter Milan as a youth, Baresi joined AC Milan’s academy while his older brother, Giuseppe Baresi, signed for Inter. The brothers exchanging pennants before Milan derbies became one of Italian football’s enduring images.
AC Milan retired Baresi’s number six shirt after his final season in 1997. He was inducted into the Italian Football Hall of Fame in 2013 and named among FIFA’s 125 Greatest Living Footballers in 2004.
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