Franco Baresi, the legendary former AC Milan and Italy defender, has died at the age of 66.
One of football’s greatest and most iconic centre backs, Baresi played his whole career in red and black — captaining Milan for 15 seasons — and was a World Cup winner with his country.
“The entire history of AC Milan is in tears,” Milan said in a statement Friday.
“His example and integrity will remain forever embedded in the club’s DNA, just like his iconic number 6 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.”
No cause of death was given. In August 2025, Baresi underwent surgery to remove a pulmonary nodule and subsequently began a course of immunotherapy.