Franco Baresi, Milan and Italy legend, dies at 66

Franco Baresi, the iconic former AC Milan and Italy defender, has died at the age of 66, the Serie A club announced on July 31, 2026.

In a statement, the club said: “The entire history of AC Milan is in tears following the passing of Franco Baresi. His example and integrity will be forever etched into the club’s DNA, just as his iconic No. 6 shirt is.”

Baresi spent his entire 20-year playing career at Milan, staying with the club through two relegations to Serie B in the early 1980s and helping it return both times. He served as captain for 15 seasons and later became the club’s honorary vice-president.

He won six Serie A titles and three European Cups, and his No. 6 shirt was the first ever retired by Milan.

Baresi was part of the Italy squad that won the 1982 World Cup and earned 81 caps, captaining the national team to the 1994 final. In that match against Brazil, he played the full 120 minutes just 25 days after knee surgery, but missed a penalty in the shootout loss.

He redefined the sweeper role with his exceptional reading of the game, blending defensive authority with attacks launched from deep. Baresi marshalled a celebrated backline featuring Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Costacurta and Mauro Tassotti, perfecting the high defensive line that underpinned Milan’s 58-match unbeaten run and earned the side the nickname “Gli Invincibili.”

In 2025, AC Milan disclosed that Baresi had undergone surgery to remove a pulmonary nodule and had been prescribed recovery treatment by a cancer specialist. In February 2026, he served as a torchbearer at the Milano Cortina Winter Games opening ceremony alongside former Inter defender Giuseppe Bergomi.