Soccer legend Franco Baresi has died. This is confirmed by his longtime club AC Milan on X. The defensive icon died in the night to Friday at the age of 66. Baresi was honorary vice president of the club, for which he had played on the field for two decades as a player.
La Storia del Milan è in lacrime per la scomparsa di Franco Baresi. Il suo esempio e la sua profondità saranno, per sempre come la sua maglia numero 6, parte integrante e fondamentale del DNA e del cammino di tutto il Club. Le condoglianze che AC Milan porge alla famiglia tutta… pic.twitter.com/a8wNOCUc2o
— AC Milan (@acmilan) July 31, 2026
"The entire history of AC Milan is in tears over the death of Franco Baresi", the club statement reads. "His example and his integrity will forever, just like his number 6 jersey, be a firm and fundamental part of the DNA and the path of the entire club." And further: "The condolences that AC Milan expresses to the entire family of Franco Baresi are the same that every Rossonero fan expresses to themselves in such a difficult hour."
Initial Denial of Death Report
Already on Wednesday, rumors about Baresi's death had been circulating on social networks, and individual media outlets also reported his passing. AC Milan sharply rejected these reports at the time and asked that the privacy of the former captain and his family be respected.
The "Gazzetta dello Sport", however, reported that the 66-year-old was in a hospital in Rozzano on the outskirts of Milan and was being constantly monitored by medical staff there. According to the sports publication, he had surgery for a lung nodule last year.
Lifetime at AC Milan
Franco Baresi was born on May 8, 1960 in Lombardy. In modern soccer it is almost unthinkable, but the defender wore only the AC Milan jersey throughout his entire career. Until 1997, he played in more than 700 competitive matches for the Italian club and led the team as captain for many years. During this time, he won six Italian championships as well as three titles in the European Cup of Champions or the Champions League respectively. The club no longer awarded his number 6 jersey after his career ended.
Baresi also left his mark on the Squadra Azzurra, albeit in a roundabout way. In 1982, he became world champion with Italy without being used even once. Twelve years later, he fought his way back into the final at the tournament in the USA despite an injury, but despite a remarkable performance, could not prevent the defeat against Brazil in the penalty shootout.
Baresi leaves behind two sons with wife Maura Lari.
