Milan: When Is Franco Baresi’s Funeral, and Why Won’t the Team Attend?
Milan will bid a final farewell to Franco Baresi next Tuesday: the funeral of the legendary Rossoneri captain is scheduled for 11 a.m. at the Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio in Milan. The former defender from Travagliato, who died Friday morning at the age of 66, will be laid to rest in the Famedio of the Monumental Cemetery, the pantheon where Milan’s most illustrious figures are buried. In addition, the Curva Sud of the new San Siro stadium could be dedicated to him.
However, Ruben Amorim’s team will not attend Tuesday’s funeral, as they are currently on their Australian tour. The possibility of canceling the training camp in Perth was never considered, due to logistical and financial constraints. Furthermore, next Wednesday the Rossoneri are scheduled to play a friendly against Inter at Optus Stadium (all 60,000 seats are already sold out).
As reported by *La Gazzetta dello Sport*, a large delegation from Milan will still attend the funeral, including Gerry Cardinale, Paolo Scaroni, and other executives, as well as all the great former players of the Rossoneri. Players who did not travel to Australia due to injury, such as Pulisic and Gimenez, may also attend.
Mourning for Baresi’s passing has swept through the soccer world in every corner of the globe. Among the most touching messages is that of Paolo Maldini, who shared years of glory in the Rossoneri colors with the Captain: “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 deeds. 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.”
Carlo Ancelotti, current head coach of Brazil and Baresi’s longtime teammate at Milan and on the national team—as well as his assistant coach at the 1994 World Cup—was also deeply moved. The coach from Reggiolo shared a message on social media that was as simple as it was heartfelt, almost struggling to find the right words: “You will always be my captain. Rest in peace.” Within a few hours, the post had garnered over 55,000 likes, drawing reactions from countless figures in the sports world, including Kylian Mbappé.
A moving tribute also came from Brazil’s Romario, who faced Baresi in the 1994 World Cup final in Pasadena. “Guys, today the soccer world woke up a little sadder with the death of Franco Baresi,” began the legendary Brazilian striker. “When I played for PSV, I faced Milan twice, and even then I realized that getting past Baresi was incredibly difficult. Then we faced off in the 1994 World Cup final, one of the most important matches of our lives. I can say this with absolute certainty: he was the toughest player I ever faced in my career.” Romario then concluded: “In ’97, I had the honor of playing in his farewell match. That guy was on another level! He was the symbol of Milan and the Italian national team. One of the greatest defenders in history. I continue to hold him in the highest regard for everything he did for soccer, and my affection goes out to his family and friends. May God welcome him into His peace. Thank you for everything, Baresi.”
