One of the greatest defenders in football history, Franco Baresi, has passed away at the age of 66.
Baresi was part of the Italy squad which won the FIFA World Cup™ at Spain 1982. An elegant, composed centre-back with extraordinary tactical intelligence and inspirational leadership skills, he won 81 caps for his country.
He played every game for Italy at the 1990 World Cup finals on home soil, helping his team keep five consecutive clean sheets on their way to a third-place finish. Four years later, Baresi captained the Azzurri in the final of the global showpiece at USA 1994, where Italy were beaten on penalties by Brazil.
Baresi spent his entire career with AC Milan, where he played from 1977 to 1997, becoming the team’s captain and a symbol of the club. He made 719 appearances for the Rossoneri, winning six Serie A titles, three European Cups, two Intercontinental Cups, three UEFA Super Cups and four Italian Super Cups. At the end of his career, Milan retired his historic No6 shirt in his honour.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino paid tribute to Baresi, writing on Instagram: “A timeless captain, a timeless story. Franco Baresi was, and always will be, timeless."
In a statement, AC Milan said: "The entire history of AC Milan is in tears. His example and integrity will remain forever embedded in the club's DNA, just like his iconic number six shirt. The condolences that AC Milan extend to the family of Franco Baresi in this difficult time are shared by every Rossonero, who feels this loss as their own."
Giovanni Malago, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) president, described Baresi as “a legend of the Italian game” and added: “He entered the hearts of millions in this country."
Sources: FIFA Official
