Sad news has arrived from Italy. Franco Baresi, the legendary former Italy and AC Milan defender, has passed away. The iconic Rossoneri captain spent his entire playing career in the red-and-black shirt. He made 716 appearances, scored 33 goals, and won three European Cups with Milan. His remarkable trophy collection also includes six Serie A titles, three Italian Super Cups, four Coppa Italia trophies, and two Intercontinental Cups. With Italy, Baresi won the 1982 FIFA World Cup and earned 86 caps for the national team.Diego Maradona after Napoli v Milan in 1989:“This one is from a big player. I think that Franco Baresi is the best defender. This shirt will be a memory that I will keep for the rest of my life."🥀 pic.twitter.com/wgJ9wlWmsV— Tribuna Football (@tribuna_ftbl) July 31, 2026 "The entire history of AC Milan is in tears over the passing of Franco Baresi. His example and integrity will forever be embedded in the club's DNA, just like his iconic number 6 shirt. The condolences that Milan extends to Franco Baresi's entire family in this difficult moment are shared by every Rossoneri supporter, who feels this loss as a personal one" the club wrote on its official website.Amorim takes a dig at his ex-club: AC Milan is a bigger challenge than Man UnitedBaresi was born on May 8, 1960, in Brescia. Milan retired his number 6 shirt in honor of the club legend, who led the Rossoneri for 20 years during the club's golden era under president Silvio Berlusconi. The legendary defender anchored Milan's famous back line alongside Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Costacurta, and Mauro Tassotti—a quartet widely regarded as one of the greatest defensive units in football history. After exactly 20 years with Milan's first team, he retired on June 24, 1997. Baresi appeared at three FIFA World Cups, winning gold in 1982, bronze in 1990 on home soil, and silver in the 1994 World Cup in the United States. He also represented Italy at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, where the Azzurri finished fourth. After retiring as a player, Baresi briefly served as Fulham's sporting director and later worked as a youth coach at his beloved Milan, managing the club's Under-20 Primavera side.##NAJAVA_MECA_9872580##
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