Franco Baresi, who spent his entire 20-year playing career at AC Milan and captained the club for 15 seasons, has died at the age of 66. The club announced his passing on 31 July 2026, publishing a memorial titled "Franco Baresi Forever" and calling him "the Rossonero of the Century" — Milan's player of the hundred years (AC Milan).

"Milan is in tears following the passing of Franco Baresi," the club posted on X. In a statement, AC Milan said his "example and integrity will be forever etched into the club's DNA" (BBC Sport).

Baresi was, by any measure, one of the greatest defenders football has produced. A sweeper — the last line of defence, positioned behind the rest of the back four, responsible for reading danger and starting attacks — he made 719 appearances for Milan between 1977 and 1997, scoring 33 goals. He won six Serie A titles and three European Cups, the competition now known as the Champions League and the biggest prize in European club football.

His debut came on 23 April 1978, a 2-1 away win at Hellas Verona. He was 17. He never played for another club.

Internationally, Baresi earned 81 caps for Italy. He was part of the squad that won the 1982 World Cup in Spain, though he did not appear in that tournament. Twelve years later, he played in the 1994 World Cup final against Brazil in Pasadena — Italy lost on penalties after a goalless draw, and Baresi, carrying an injury, missed one of the spot-kicks. It was the kind of moment that defines a career as much as the trophies: a great player, on the biggest stage, falling short by the narrowest margin.

The news of his death came just one day after AC Milan had been forced to deny false social media rumours that Baresi had already passed away. On 30 July, the club confirmed he was in a "delicate stage of his health battle" (Goal). His death was confirmed the following day, with international wire services including AFP and France24 reporting the story (France24).

Baresi had undergone surgery in August 2025 to remove a pulmonary nodule — a small growth on the lung — discovered during routine medical checks (AC Milan). His last public appearance was at the San Siro, Milan's home ground, for the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics in February 2026.

The honours kept coming long after he stopped playing. In 2020, he became honorary vice-president of AC Milan. In 2024, the club retired his number six shirt — meaning no Milan player will ever wear it again, the highest honour a club can bestow on one of its own.

Raised in the parish youth club of Travagliato, a small town on the Brescia plains in northern Italy, Baresi rose from humble beginnings to become the beating heart of one of football's grandest institutions. Seven hundred and nineteen appearances. Twenty years. One shirt, now hanging in the rafters forever.