Franco Baresi, one of football’s greatest defenders, died at the age of 66, AC Milan announced on July 31, 2026 [1, 2, 3, 4]. The Italian legend spent his entire 20-year playing career at AC Milan, from 1977 until his retirement in 1997, making 719 appearances while wearing the iconic number 6 shirt, which the club later retired in his honor [2, 3, 5, 4, 6].

Baresi captained AC Milan for 15 seasons and led the team to six Serie A titles and three European Cup/Champions League trophies, solidifying a golden era for the club [1, 2, 7, 8, 3, 4, 6]. He famously marshalled a formidable defense that included Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Costacurta, and Mauro Tassotti, playing a key role in Milan’s 58-match unbeaten Serie A run that earned them the nickname "Gli Invincibili" (The Invincibles) [1, 7, 8, 3, 4, 6].

Born in May 1960 in Travagliato near Brescia, Italy, Baresi and his brother were orphaned as teenagers [5, 6]. Reflecting on his early life, Baresi once said, "What I went through made me become a little withdrawn. When I was on the pitch, I gave everything and perhaps expressed all the things I couldn’t express away from football" [5].

Internationally, Baresi earned 81 caps for Italy and was a member of the 1982 World Cup-winning squad [1, 2, 7, 8, 3, 4, 6]. He famously captained Italy to the 1994 World Cup final, playing all 120 minutes just 25 days after undergoing knee surgery. Italy lost to Brazil in a penalty shootout in that match [1, 2, 7, 8, 3].

Known as one of the greatest sweepers and defenders in football history, Baresi redefined the sweeper role by combining defensive mastery with the ability to launch attacks [1, 2, 7, 8, 3, 5, 4, 6]. He remained loyal to AC Milan during the early 1980s when the club was relegated twice to Serie B, helping secure promotions back to Serie A both times [1, 7, 8, 3, 6].

After retiring, Baresi stayed connected to Milan and became the club’s honorary vice-president in 2020 [2, 4]. In February 2026, he served as one of the Olympic flame torchbearers at the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina Winter Games [1, 7, 8, 3].

Baresi underwent surgery in August 2025 to remove a pulmonary nodule [1, 2, 7, 4]. AC Milan’s statement said, "The entire history of AC Milan is in tears following the passing of Franco Baresi. His example and integrity will be forever etched into the club’s DNA, just as his iconic number 6 shirt is" [1].

His former teammate Marco van Basten remembered him as "The Johan Cruyff of defenders. He was calm and shy, but on the pitch he was a warrior and a winner. His hunger to win and quest for victory were unique" [6].