The former Italy captain and lifelong AC Milan defender passed away, according to club announcements.
Talivio News · Global2 min read
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Franco Baresi, the former captain of AC Milan and the Italy national team, has died at the age of 66. The death of the defender was announced by AC Milan through its official social media channels. Fabrizio Romano reported that Baresi passed away this morning.
Born on 8 May 1960, in Travagliato, Italy, Baresi spent his entire 20-year professional football career playing for AC Milan. He played for the club from 1977 until his retirement in 1997. During his tenure, Baresi made 719 appearances and scored 33 goals.
The entire history of AC Milan is in tears following the passing of Franco Baresi.
— AC Milan
Career achievements and defensive legacy
Baresi was a sweeper who redefined his role by combining defensive authority with the ability to launch attacks from deep. He was part of a celebrated defense under managers Arrigo Sacchi and Fabio Capello, playing alongside Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Costacurta, and Mauro Tassotti. Under Fabio Capello, the AC Milan defense achieved a 58-match unbeaten run in Serie A.
6 titles
Serie A championships won with AC Milan
Throughout his time with AC Milan, Baresi won six Serie A titles, three European Cups / UEFA Champions League titles, two Intercontinental Cups, four Italian Super Cups, and two Serie B championships. He also won one Mitropa Cup.
International career and recent years
Representing the Italy national team, Baresi earned 81 caps. He was a member of the Italy squad that won the 1982 FIFA World Cup. He later captained Italy to the 1994 World Cup final, a match in which he played the full 120 minutes just 25 days after undergoing knee surgery. Italy lost that final to Brazil in a penalty shootout.
Following his playing career, Baresi served as the honorary vice president of AC Milan starting in 2020. In February, he served as a torchbearer for the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics alongside Giuseppe Bergomi.
In 2025, Baresi underwent surgery to remove a pulmonary nodule, after which he received immunotherapy treatment. AC Milan has not disclosed the official cause of death.
Updates
Following the official announcement, AC Milan issued a tribute describing Baresi as the 'heart and soul' of the club and noted that unfounded reports of his death had circulated on social media prior to the news. Additionally, sources claim Baresi was called up to the 1982 World Cup squad by Enzo Bearzot and holds the distinction of being the only Italian footballer to end a World Cup career with first, second, and third-place finishes. While some reports dispute his exact trophy count, there is conflicting information regarding whether he won two or three UEFA Super Cups.
New details regarding Baresi's health reveal that a lung nodule discovered during 2025 medical tests led to a minimally invasive surgical procedure and subsequent immunotherapy treatment. Additionally, AC Milan has retired his iconic number 6 shirt, making him the first player in the club's history to receive such an honor.
Following the official announcement, details have emerged regarding Baresi's health, noting that he underwent surgery to remove a pulmonary nodule discovered during routine tests in 2025 and subsequently received immunotherapy. The club also confirmed that his iconic number 6 shirt has been retired, making him the first player in AC Milan's history to receive such an honor. Additionally, while sources disagree on his exact trophy count, verified records show he won two UEFA Super Cups and two Intercontinental Cups during his career.
AC Milan has retired Baresi's number 6 shirt, making him the first player in the club's history to receive this honor. The legendary defender had recently undergone surgery to remove a pulmonary nodule and received immunotherapy treatment following tests conducted in 2025. During his career, Baresi earned 81 caps for the Italy national team and played 20 years for AC Milan, scoring 33 goals.
The club officially retired Baresi's iconic number 6 shirt, making him the first player in AC Milan's history to receive this honor. Following his death, it was revealed that the legendary defender had undergone surgery to remove a pulmonary nodule and had been receiving immunotherapy treatment after a lung nodule was discovered during routine medical tests in 2025.
Recent reports indicate that Baresi's condition deteriorated following surgery to remove a pulmonary nodule, which he had undergone as part of his treatment. AC Milan has since officially retired his iconic number 6 shirt, making him the first player in the club's history to receive such an honor. The club also issued a statement describing him as the 'heart and soul' of the team, noting that his example and integrity will be forever etched into the club's DNA.
Following the club's announcement, details have emerged regarding Baresi's health, revealing that he had undergone surgery to remove a pulmonary nodule discovered during routine tests in 2025 and subsequently received immunotherapy treatment. AC Milan has also officially retired his iconic number 6 shirt, making him the first player in the club's history to receive this honor.
Following the official announcement, further details reveal that Baresi's health declined after he underwent surgery to remove a pulmonary nodule and received immunotherapy treatment. AC Milan has also announced the retirement of his iconic number 6 shirt, making him the first player in the club's history to receive such an honor. Additionally, the club described him as the 'heart and soul' of the team, stating his integrity will be forever etched into their DNA.
Following the official announcement, further details revealed that Baresi had undergone surgery to remove a pulmonary nodule and received immunotherapy treatment following a diagnosis in 2025. AC Milan has also retired his iconic number 6 shirt, making him the first player in the club's history to receive this honor. Reports indicate his condition subsequently deteriorated, leading to his passing.
AC Milan has retired Franco Baresi's iconic number 6 shirt, making him the first player in the club's history to receive such an honor. Additionally, details have emerged regarding his health, revealing that Baresi had undergone surgery to remove a pulmonary nodule and had been receiving immunotherapy treatment following routine medical tests in 2025. His death followed a period of deteriorating health during his convalescence.
AC Milan has retired Baresi's iconic number 6 shirt, making him the first player in the club's history to receive this honor. Additionally, details have emerged regarding his health, noting that Baresi underwent surgery to remove a pulmonary nodule and subsequently received immunotherapy treatment before his condition deteriorated.
