Franco Baresi dead at 66: AC Milan legend passes away with club sharing heartbreaking statement just hours after they were forced to deny misinformation around his ill health
AC Milan and Italy legend Franco Baresi has died at the age of 66, his former club confirmed on Friday.
The one-club man was synonymous with the red-and-black side of the San Siro, playing every minute of his 20-year career for il Rossoneri.
As such, there was no shortage of emotion in the club’s statement shared in the early hours of Friday morning, as AC Milan extended support not just to Baresi’s family, but to their entire community.
‘The entire history of AC Milan is in tears following the passing of Franco Baresi,’ the statement read. ‘His example and integrity will be forever etched into the Club’s DNA, just as his iconic number 6 shirt is.
‘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.’
The defender, long considered one of the best of all time, served as captain for 14 years, and helped Milan claim six Serie A titles and three European Cups among numerous other honours.
Italian football legend Franco Baresi has died at the age of 66, his former club confirmed
In 1999, Baresi’s feats in club colours won him AC Milan’s Player of the Century award.
The player known as ‘Piscinin’ also won the World Cup with Italy in 1982, later coming heartbreakingly close to claiming a second when the Azzurri reached the final in 1994 before defeat to Brazil on penalties.
Just hours before sharing the tragic news, AC Milan were forced to deny rumours on Wednesday that Baresi had died, after the player was admitted to hospital in Milan.
Italian outlet Tuttosport had broken the ‘news’, which prompted tributes from football fans including Italy’s deputy prime minister Matteo Salvini.
Baresi had previously undergone lung surgery in August 2025 to remove a pulmonary nodule, and later was treated with cancer-prevention immunotherapy.
His last public appearance came touchingly at the San Siro, as he and his great friend – and former Inter Milan rival – Beppe Bergomi walked into the iconic stadium bearing the Olympic flame during the Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony earlier this year.