Franco Baresi
Italian Soccer Legend Lifeless at 66
Printed
July 31, 2026
5:32 AM PDT
Italian soccer icon Franco Baresi — the previous AC Milan defender who helped outline Italian soccer’s golden period within the Eighties and Nineties — has died.
AC Milan — the place he served as honorary vp — introduced his dying Thursday, writing … “Your entire historical past of AC Milan is in tears following the passing of Franco Baresi. His instance and integrity will probably be perpetually etched into the Membership’s DNA, simply as his iconic quantity 6 shirt is.”
A reason for dying has not been launched.
AC Milan introduced final 12 months Baresi had undergone surgical procedure to take away a pulmonary nodule that was found throughout routine medical checks. It was by no means confirmed whether or not or not the mass was cancerous.
Baresi was fully loyal to AC Milan, spending his complete 20-year profession with the membership … serving to them clinch six Serie A titles and three trophies. He was captain of the group for 15 seasons earlier than retiring in 1997.
His No. 6 jersey was retired upon his departure from the group, and he was the primary participant in AC Milan’s historical past to obtain such an honor.
Baresi was one of many torchbearers for the Olympic flame on the opening ceremony for the Milan Cortina Winter Video games in February, marking his final public look.
He was 66 years previous.
RIP
