Former AC Milan and Italy legendary international center-back Franco Baresi died at the age of 66..

AC Milan confirmed on their official website on Friday the tragic news that the club's former Italy legendary international defender Franco Baresi had died at the age of 66.

According to AC Milan's obituary, Baresi died at the Humanitas di Rozzano Clinic at the outskirt of Milan due to complications following surgery to remove a lung nodule a month prior.

At this difficult and sorrowful time, everyone at the club sends its condolences and sympathies to Baresi's family, friends, fans, and his teammates and players, and will carry on with his strong spirit and belief.

Separately, Sky Sports Italia, citing AC Milan officials, criticized Tuttosport for leaking the news that Baresi "might die anytime soon" few days prior and condemned the media outlet for its lack of respect and respect for privacy.

In his eulogy for Baresi's passing, AC Milan and Italian legend Paolo Maldini wrote: "Today, I feel the same way I have when you were unable to play alongside us for various reasons: what will we do without our captain?"

"You taught me to fight to the last minute, you taught me what it truly means to love this jersey and to be a true leader. You exemplified all of this in your actions, every single day: concise yet powerful."

"You protected me when I was young, guided me during my adolescence, and inspired me as an adult. You were the strongest player I was fortunate enough to play alongside. Captain, we will miss you. But your light will forever shine upon us."

Italian Football Association President Giovanni Malago said: "Italian football has lost a legend, an extraordinary champion, who wore only two jerseys in his career: AC Milan and the Italian national team. This romantic choice rightfully earned him the hearts of fans and millions of Italians."

"In the upcoming national team matches, we will remember him in the way he deserves." He always poured extraordinary passion into this national team and became one of its most shining idols.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said: “A timeless captain, a timeless story. Franco Baresi was, is, and will always be timeless.”

UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin said: “Franco Baresi is the ultimate symbol of Italy’s great defensive tradition: he was a player of exceptional tactical intelligence, high fighting spirit, and impeccable manners.”

“He won the Serie A title six times, and at that time, Serie A is the most competitive league in the world, and he has won the European Cup three times, all of which he achieved as captain and the undisputed leader of the club."

"Over the years, I have had the privilege of knowing him and speaking with him many times. His dignity, humility, innate kindness, and generosity have always deeply moved me; these are qualities only true legends possess."

"I extend my sincerest condolences to his family, AC Milan, Italian football, and all those who loved him."

About Franco Baresi

Baresi was born on May 8, 1960, in Travagliato, Brescia, Italy. He was 1.76 meters tall and played as a center-back, primarily as a sweeper. His elder brother, Giuseppe, "Beppe," is also a former legendary Italy international defender and an Inter Milan legend.

Baresi, widely regarded by the late Brazilian legend Pelé as one of the greatest center-backs of all time, is considered one of the greatest sweepers of all-time in football history, alongside Franz Beckenbauer, Gaetano Scirea, Daniel Passarella, Paolo Maldini, Fabio Cannavaro, Thiago Silva, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, Sergio Ramos, and current Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk.

As a child, Baresi accompanied his brother, Giuseppe, to trials at Inter Milan's youth academy. Unlike his brother however, he was rejected and instead joined their fierce city rivals, AC Milan's youth academy, making his AC Milan first-team debut in April 1978.

For the next 20 years, Baresi played exclusively for AC Milan, leading I Rossoneri to European dominance in the 1970s and late 1980s with his exceptional leadership and defensive prowess as captain.

During this spell, he led the club to six Serie A titles, four Supercoppa Italiana, three UEFA Champions League titles, three UEFA Super Cups, two Intercontinental Cups, two Serie B titles, and two Mitropa Cups, and reached the Coppa Italia final twice.

In the summer of 1997, at the age of 37, Baresi retired, and the number 6 jersey has been retired by AC Milan ever since.

In 2002, Baresi was appointed Fulham's Director of Football. However, due to disagreements with then-manager Jean Tigana, Baresi resigned in August of the same year, just two months after taking office.

In the summer of 2004, Baresi returned to AC Milan, serving as head coach of both the U20s and U19s teams. In 2008, he stepped back from the limelight to become Director of Marketing, and in 2017, he became a global ambassador. Since 2020, he has also served as Honorary Vice President for Life.

On the international stage, Baresi has been a key player for the Italy national team since the start of his career, and he was part of the team that won the 1982 FIFA World Cup in Spain. His illustrious achievements led several of the top football regulatory bodies, including FIFA, the Italian Football Federation, and UEFA, to name him one of the 100 greatest players of all time.

Image source: Internet / AC Milan official website