Franco Baresi એપ the legendary AC Milan and Italy defender died at 66. The iconic centre‑back spent his entire 20‑year career in red and black, captaining Milan for 15 seasons and winning three European Cups and six Serie A titles. He earned 81 caps for Italy, lifting the 1982 World Cup and later finishing runner‑up at 1994, missing a penalty in the shootout.

Milan’s statement said the club’s history is in tears, citing Baresi’s example and the iconic 6 shirt forever embedded in the club’s DNA. No cause of death was given; in August 2025 he underwent surgery for a pulmonary nodule and began immunotherapy. His last public appearance was at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics opening ceremony in February, where he and former Inter defender Giuseppe Bergomi carried the torch into San Siro.

Baresi rose through Milan’s ranks, debuting at 17 in 1978 and staying after the team’s 1982 Serie B relegation. He retired in 1997, after which Milan retired his No. 6 jersey – the first such honour in Italian football – and later named him honorary president in 2020.