LOMBARDIA
Franco Baresi, AC Milan and Italy defensive icon, dies at 66
The one-club captain who defined an era of Italian football has died, drawing tributes from across the sport
Beatrice Comolli342 wordsEdition №66Monday, 3 August 2026 — Edition № 66
Franco Baresi, the legendary former AC Milan and Italy defender, has died at the age of 66, his former club announced on Friday. Baresi is widely regarded as one of the finest centre-backs of all time, a majestically composed defender who read the game with expert precision, according to international reports.
He spent his entire professional career in the red and black of AC Milan, captaining the club for 15 seasons and playing a central role in one of the most successful periods in the club's history. Baresi was also capped 81 times by Italy and was part of the squad which won the 1982 World Cup.
AC Milan said in a statement that their former captain's 'example and integrity will be forever etched into the club's DNA', as tributes poured in from across the football world.