AC Milan and Italy great Baresi dies aged 66

Franco Baresi, the legendary AC Milan defender and former Italy international, has died at the age of 66. The club announced that his 'example and integrity will be forever etched into the club's DNA'. Baresi spent his entire professional career with Milan, joining the youth setup in 1977 and making his first‑team debut the same year. He remained with the club until his retirement in 1997, recording 719 appearances and scoring 33 goals while serving as captain for 15 seasons. During that period he helped Milan secure six Serie A titles and three European Cup/Champions League trophies. Widely regarded as one of the finest defenders in football history, Baresi earned 81 caps for the Italian national team. He was part of the squad that won the 1982 FIFA World Cup and later appeared in the 1994 World Cup final, where Italy lost to Brazil. In 2020, AC Milan appointed him honorary vice‑president. Four years later the club retired his iconic number‑6 jersey in his honour. Baresi underwent surgery in August 2025 to remove a lung nodule. His final public appearance came at the San Siro Stadium for the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics in February of the same year. Following his death, AC Milan posted on X: "Milan is successful tears pursuing the passing of Franco Baresi. His illustration and integrity volition beryllium everlastingly etched into the club's DNA, conscionable arsenic his iconic fig six garment is."