Franco Baresi dies aged 66 as AC Milan andwWorld football mourn an icon

AC Milan and the wider football world mourned Franco Baresi, the legendary defender and former Italy captain, who died at 66. The club confirmed his death on 8 May, prompting tributes for a player widely seen as one of the greatest defenders in the sport. After undergoing surgery in 2025 to remove a lung nodule, Baresi remained a visible presence at San Siro. He also served as a torchbearer at the opening ceremony of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. Baresi made 719 appearances for AC Milan, winning six Serie A titles and three European Cups, and earned 81 caps for Italy, including the 1982 World Cup. Born in Travagliato, he joined Milan’s youth ranks in 1974 after being rejected by Inter. He is survived by his wife Maura and their two sons.