Franco Baresi: Paolo Maldini’s touching tribute: “How will we manage without our Captain?”

Franco Baresi has died; Milan has lost one of its legends, the symbol of the team that dominated the European and world stages in the ’80s and ’90s. Another icon of those years, Paolo Maldini, paid tribute to his captain in an open letter posted on his Instagram profile.

“Today I feel the same way I did whenever, for whatever reason, you couldn’t take the field alongside us: how will we manage without our Captain? You taught me to fight until my last breath, what it means to be devoted to the jersey, and the value of being a true leader. You did so by example, every day: few words, but countless actions.”

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“You protected me when I was a child, guided me as a teenager, and inspired me as a man. You were the greatest soccer player I’ve ever had the honor of playing with. A warm embrace to your entire family, especially your wife Maura and your sons, Edoardo and Giannandrea. We’ll miss you, Captain. But the light of your star will continue to guide us forever.”

Franco Baresi won six Serie A titles, three European Cups, two Intercontinental Cups, two UEFA Super Cups, and four Italian Super Cups. He is the second-most capped player in Milan’s history, just behind Paolo Maldini.