Franco Baresi dead at 66: AC Milan and Italy legend dies as tributes pour in for one of football’s best defenders
FRANCO BARESI, one of football’s greatest ever defenders, has died aged 66.
The AC Milan and Italy legend won the World Cup, six Serie A titles and three Champions Leagues in a glittering career.
Baresi underwent lung surgery last year after being diagnosed with a pulmonary nodulation.
And the iconic centre-back’s death was confirmed by his boyhood club in an emotional tribute.
Milan said: “Announcing the loss of someone who embodied the heart and soul of AC Milan, is incredibly difficult.
“But everyone at the club and all the Milanisti must live up to Franco Baresi’s memory.
“We must be strong and gather every bit of energy, even at this saddest of times.
“We lost Franco only a few months after his last public appearance in a packed San Siro, at the Milan Winter Olympics opening ceremony, an event on the world stage he helped make unforgettable.
“In memory of Franco, we stand united, knowing he’ll guide and push us throughout our Rossoneri journey. Forever. Because Baresi is forever.”
Just two days before the tragic announcement of his death, Milan were forced to issue a statement denying he had passed away after speculation online.
The club tweeted: “AC Milan denies the false reports concerning Franco Baresi that have begun circulating in recent minutes.
“Franco is going through a difficult and delicate time, and the club stands firmly alongside him and his family.
“We urge everyone to respect their privacy and refrain from spreading entirely unfounded information.”
Milan’s fierce foes Inter released a heart-warming statement as they paid their respects.
It read: “Farewell to Franco Baresi, protagonist of the great clashes in the Milan derby and one of the figures who most defined the history of the rivalry.
“Captain, team man and flag bearer of AC Milan, he lived every match-up with Inter between competition and respect, within a challenge that wrote unforgettable pages of Italian football.
“President Giuseppe Marotta and all of Inter Milan stand in solidarity with the Baresi family, brother Beppe and AC Milan in this moment of grief.”
Baresi won the World Cup in 1982 Credit: Getty
Baresi came through Milan’s youth set-up before going on to make a whopping 716 appearances for his boyhood club.
Alongside six Serie A titles, he won the Champions League – previously known as the European Cup – three times, three Super Cups and the Supercoppa Italiana on four occasions.
The San Siro favourite also got his hands on the Intercontinental Cup in back-to-back seasons.
Baresi appeared at three World Cups on his way to notching 81 caps for Italy.
And he lifted the sport’s biggest prize in 1982 – after beating West Germany in the final.
But among Baresi’s most eye-catching feats was appearing in the 1994 showpiece just 22 DAYS after undergoing knee surgery.
He tore his meniscus during Italy’s second group stage showdown against Norway.
Against all odds, Baresi recovered in time to start the final and keep Brazilian greats Romario and Bebeto at bay in a goalless 120 minutes.
But the Azzurri legend missed his spot-kick during the shootout and Italy went on to suffer a 3-2 defeat on penalties.