Franco Baresi, the former AC Milan captain who was one of Italy’s most acclaimed defenders, has died. He was 66.

His death was announced on Friday by Milan, the football club where he spent his entire 20-year playing career. No cause of death was given.

“The entire history of AC Milan is in tears,” Milan said.

In August 2025, Baresi underwent surgery to remove a pulmonary nodule and subsequently began a course of immunotherapy.

His last public appearance was at the opening ceremony for the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics in February, when, along with former Inter Milan defender Giuseppe Bergomi, he carried the torch into the San Siro — the stadium he formerly played in.

“His example and integrity will be forever etched into the Club’s DNA, just as his iconic number 6 shirt is,” Milan added. “The condolences AC Milan extends to Franco Baresi’s family at such a difficult time are shared by every Rossonero, who feels this loss as their own.”

Baresi was on Italy’s team that won the World Cup in 1982.

“With the passing of Franco Baresi, Italy loses not only one of the greatest champions in its sports history, but also an example of loyalty, professionalism, and dedication,” Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni said on X.

One-club player Baresi etched in AC Milan history

Baresi, who was widely regarded as one of the best defenders of all time, was a true one-club player. He progressed through the ranks at Milan and made his first team debut at the age of 17, in April 1978.

He chose to stay with Milan even after it was relegated to Serie B — for the second time in three seasons — in 1982, just before he helped Italy win the World Cup that summer, and was given the captaincy at the age of just 22.

Baresi made more than 700 appearances for the Rossoneri, captaining the team to global dominance in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

With Milan, Baresi won three Champions League trophies, six Serie A titles, two Intercontinental Cups, three European Supercups and four Italian Supercups.

“For generations, Franco embodied the values, character and excellence that define this club,” Milan owner Gerry Cardinale said. “Even as he battled his greatest challenge over the last year, he was always there for the club, quietly reminding us all what it means to wear these colours.

“Franco’s legacy is profound and will endure forever. Our thoughts are with his family and all those whose lives he touched.”

In his final interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport last year, Baresi said he recalled being a “Milanista” (Milan fan) as a child.

“When I arrived at Milanello (Milan’s training centre) for the first time as a 14-year-old, it seemed like entering paradise,” Baresi said.

Baresi the first to have AC Milan jersey retired

As well as the 1982 World Cup, Baresi also helped Italy finish runners-up in the 1994 competition — although he was one of three Azzurri players to miss a penalty in the shootout defeat to Brazil in the final.

Baresi finished runner-up to teammate Marco van Basten in the Ballon d’Or awards in 1989.

When Baresi retired in 1997, Milan also retired his No 6 jersey — which was a first for Italian football. The club also held a celebration match in his honour, featuring many football stars Baresi had played with and against.

Baresi was made honorary president of Milan in 2020.

“Italian soccer has lost one of its legends,” Italian football federation president Giovanni Malago said, labelling Baresi “an extraordinary champion who wore only two shirts for his entire career: those of Milan and Italy”.

“We will have a tribute to remember him the next time the national team plays,” Malago added.

How Inter Milan missed out to AC on Baresi

It could have all been so different for Baresi and Milan, however. Baresi had trials at Inter when he was younger but he was rejected by the Nerazzurri, who opted to sign his older brother Giuseppe Baresi, with Franco going on to join the youth team of their fierce city rivals.

Giuseppe also captained his team and the image of the two Baresi brothers exchanging pennants before kickoff became the symbol of the Milan derby throughout the late 80s.

“On November 19, 1995, I made my Serie A debut against Milan. I was 17 years old, and on the other side was the captain of that team: Franco Baresi,” former Italy captain Gianluigi Buffon said on X, referring to his Italian league debut with Parma.

“For a boy my age, finding myself on the field against champions like him was something incredible,” Buffon added. “From that day on, I had an even clearer understanding of what it meant to represent football with class, leadership, and respect. Ciao Franco. Rest in peace.”