The historic Rossoneri and Azzurri defender has passed away: Baresi underwent surgery for a lung nodule last year. Football bids farewell to one of the greatest defenders of all time, recognised as an exemplary figure even by his fiercest rivals.
Mourning at AC Milan and across the football world. Franco Baresi passed away at the age of 66, having celebrated his birthday on 8th May. The Rossoneri club announced: “The history of AC Milan is in tears over the passing of Franco Baresi. His example and his profound impact will forever, like his number 6 shirt, be an integral and fundamental part of the Club’s DNA and journey.” Having undergone surgery for a lung nodule in 2025, the historic captain had occasionally returned to San Siro and was one of the last torchbearers to carry the Olympic flame at the opening ceremony of Milano-Cortina 2026. He played 719 matches for AC Milan, winning six league titles and three European Cups/Champions Leagues, while for the national team he made 81 appearances, winning the 1982 World Cup.
captain
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You are forever, even if you are no longer here: Franco Baresi has succumbed in his final, fatal match. Italian and world football mourns him, and AC Milan bids farewell to its great icon. A life of unwavering loyalty, cut short by an illness that in recent years forced Franco into a continuous, high-stakes battle, which he faced with his head held high. Thus, we say goodbye to one of the greatest defenders of all time, recognised as an exemplary figure even by his fiercest rivals.
franco baresi
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Accustomed to overcoming obstacle after obstacle, Baresi displayed exceptional resilience from a young age. He first made his mark at Unione Sportiva Oratorio di Travagliato, a village club in the province of Brescia. Orphaned at just 14, in 1974 he joined a family he would never leave: AC Milan, following a recommendation from USO director Guido Settembrino. What a strange twist of fate: Beppe, his brother two years his senior and an AC Milan fan, joined Inter’s youth academy. Meanwhile, Franchino, born a Nerazzurri supporter, was signed by the Rossoneri after being rejected by his boyhood club for being deemed too frail. In that moment, it was the keen eye and shrewdness of Italo Galbiati, impressed by Franchino’s technique, that changed the course of events. With his blond bob and excellent ball control, his almost ethereal appearance and elegant touch often deceived opponents, only for them to be disabused at the first tackle. The masseur Mariconti gave him the nickname ‘Piscinin’, meaning ‘little one’ in Milanese dialect, which would become his unmistakable trademark.
promoted
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His initial breakthrough came under Nils Liedholm, who handed Franco his Serie A debut on 23rd April 1978. AC Milan won 2-1, an auspicious result that was not insignificant for a superstitious man like ‘the Baron’. But the Swedish coach didn’t just throw Baresi into the first team as a good luck charm; he genuinely believed in him, making him one of the key players in the following season, which culminated in the long-awaited and almost fabled league title. It was immediately clear, without any doubt, that Baresi hadn’t become an Italian champion by chance. Indeed, one of his staunchest supporters was none other than Gianni Rivera, the leader who saw the makings of a champion in the young defender. It wasn’t just a matter of technique, but of character and innate talent. So much so that the ‘Golden Boy’ himself, during a ‘Città di Milano’ tournament match at San Siro against Flamengo, heard Baresi call out: “Are you going to pass it to me then?” Rivera wasn’t offended; on the contrary, he fully approved of Franchino’s courage, sensing that the quiet libero not only knew how to control the ball and direct the defence but also how to make his presence felt. To the extent that, at just 22, Baresi was promoted to Rossoneri captain.
setbacks
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These enormous satisfactions were, however, followed by significant disappointments. The first relegation after the Totonero scandal was a harsh blow. His immediate return to Serie A allowed him to shine for Enzo Bearzot’s national team. Franco continued his upward trajectory but then faced another setback. He contracted a virus that forced him to stop playing for three and a half months; many questioned his future, which hung in the balance at 21, but he reacted and got back on track, more determined than ever. However, he couldn’t avoid another blemish, another relegation, in 1982. Yet, he was still called up for the Azzurri’s Spanish World Cup campaign. Baresi was the understudy to another legend, Gaetano Scirea; he never played, but still ended on a high note, lifting the World Cup in the Madrid final. Riding the wave of World Cup euphoria, Baresi was courted and sought after by major clubs, having by then achieved the status of an emerging star. Yet, despite being able to accept excellent offers from rivals, he remained at AC Milan. His unwavering loyalty was repaid with interest in the subsequent seasons. Franco remained the backbone of a team that, unfortunately, suffered from frequent corporate turmoil. Until Silvio Berlusconi arrived on the scene in 1986: he saved the club from bankruptcy and launched an ambitious revival programme, which initially caused more than a few doubts among the players themselves. The next turning point came in 1987 with the arrival of Arrigo Sacchi. The beginnings with the coach from Fusignano were far from easy; quite the opposite. However, Baresi then proved to be one of the best interpreters of Sacchi’s football and philosophy. With the additions of Gullit and Van Basten, AC Milan won the league title again in 1988, and in 1989, with Rijkaard also joining, they even triumphed in the European Cup. These historic victories propelled the Rossoneri juggernaut, leading to years of undisputed dominance, especially in Europe, with a repeat win in 1990. Baresi lifted trophy after trophy, yet never abandoned his composure: he didn’t shout; a look from him was enough, and you knew what you had to do, without the need for any grand displays. Such was his dedication to the cause and his passion that he faced even embarrassing circumstances, like the infamous ‘dark night of Marseille’, when he complied with the directors’ diktat and abandoned the Velodrome.
never give up
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After Sacchi was replaced by Fabio Capello, another significant challenge emerged for Baresi. Many believed that he and his teammates were nearing the end of their careers. Capello, who as a player hadn’t had a particularly strong connection with Baresi, shrewdly appealed to the pride of both the leader and the survivors of the Sacchi era. The move worked wonderfully, as the ‘Devil’ secured another four league titles and the European Cup in 1994. Meanwhile, Baresi continued to earn caps for the national team, where he was untouchable under coach Sacchi. However, Franco decided to retire from international football in 1992. Arrigo asked him to reconsider, and he succeeded, proving right: Franco led the national team that would lose on penalties in the 1994 World Cup final against Brazil. Baresi was the first to miss from the spot, and his inconsolable tears, broadcast live, moved all Italians. A reserved man, but one of deep emotions. With his wife Maura, whom he met in the early 80s in Tuscany, he had two children: Edoardo and Gianandrea. Franco left the national team and had more time to dedicate to his family. He enjoyed a farewell parade with the 1996 league title, but the years were taking their toll. The 1996-97 season started poorly under Tabarez and ended badly with Sacchi’s second spell. Baresi decided in June 1997 to retire from playing. His unmistakable number 6 shirt was retired. Franco was appointed vice-president of the club, overseeing the Primavera youth team. In 2002, he took his only break from AC Milan, joining Fulham, newly promoted to the Premier League, as technical director. His Premier League adventure lasted just under three months due to disagreements with coach Jean Tigana. Since then, his bond with AC Milan has been unbreakable. And it always will be. All stand for ‘Piscinin’.
This article was originally written in Italian by La Gazzetta dello Sport editor. The English version has been generated using AI translation tools. If you notice any translation errors or have suggestions, please contact us at iniziativegazzetta@rcs.it
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