AC Milan is in mourning after confirming the death of Franco Baresi, the club’s greatest one-club servant and one of football’s finest ever defenders, who has died at the age of 66 following a battle with health problems.
AC Milan have confirmed the death of Franco Baresi, widely regarded as one of the greatest defenders the game has ever produced and a defining symbol of the club throughout his career. The Rossoneri icon passed away at the age of 66, according to Goal.com. The confirmation followed a difficult few days in which the club had initially been forced to deny false reports of his death after a hoax spread widely on social media, urging supporters not to share unverified information, before officially confirming his passing hours later.
Health battle before his death
Baresi had been dealing with health problems since undergoing surgery in August 2025 to remove a pulmonary nodule, after which he underwent immunotherapy treatment.
A one-club legend
Baresi spent his entire 20-year playing career at AC Milan, making 719 official appearances for the club and serving as captain for 15 seasons, cementing his status as one of the greatest one-club players in the history of football. Following his retirement in 1997, AC Milan retired the number 6 shirt in his honour, making him the first player in the club’s history to receive that recognition.
During his time at the club, Baresi won six Serie A titles, three European Cups/Champions Leagues, two Intercontinental Cups, two European Super Cups and four Italian Super Cups.
International career
At international level, Baresi earned 81 caps for Italy. He was part of the squad that won the 1982 World Cup, later captained Italy to the 1994 World Cup final, and was named in the 1990 World Cup All-Star Team.
Redefining the libero role
Baresi was widely regarded as one of the finest defenders the sport has produced, credited with helping redefine the sweeper, or libero, role through his positioning, anticipation and leadership, rather than relying on physical strength. In 2004, Pelé included him in his FIFA 100 list of the world’s greatest living footballers, and he was later inducted into the Italian Football Hall of Fame.
Life after retirement
After hanging up his boots, Baresi remained closely involved with AC Milan, serving as the club’s Honorary Vice President and continuing as one of its most recognisable ambassadors in the years that followed.
