Football Mourns the Loss of Franco Baresi: A Message from Milan

Franco Baresi, the legendary captain of Milan and the Italian national team, has passed away. Last year, he underwent surgery for a lung nodule. He passed away at the age of 66, after writing unforgettable chapters in the history of AC Milan—for which he was one of the greatest icons of all time—and with the national team.

Here is AC Milan’s statement regarding captain Franco Baresi: “It is not easy to convey the loss of a beat of our heart, of one of the breaths of our soul. But all of Milan and all Milanisti must strive to live up to Franco Baresi’s legacy; we must find the strength and gather all the energy we can, even amid the tears and emotion of a moment that weighs so heavily on us. Franco has left us, after giving us—just a few months ago—one last great, proud image of himself in a packed stadium, connected to the whole world, during the opening ceremony of the Milan Winter Olympics, which he made historic.

Let us all unite in embracing the immense memory of Franco, knowing that he will always hold our hands and give us extra motivation for every moment of our Rossoneri lives. Forever. Because Baresi is forever.”

Wearing the Milan jersey, he won practically everything. In addition to six Serie A titles, his three European Cups/Champions League titles shine brightly. A role model on and off the field, he was a player loved by everyone and respected by every opponent.