Franco Baresi: Giovanni Galli’s Moving Message

On Tuesday, the funeral of Franco Baresi, who passed away at the age of 66 after a long illness, was held at the Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio in Milan. In recent days, many former teammates have shared memories of the Milan legend, and Giovanni Galli also shared his recollections in the pages of *La Gazzetta dello Sport*.

“I met Baresi on the national team; together we experienced the 1982 World Cup adventure, even though we didn’t take the field. You know, Franco had the misfortune of emerging at the same time as a certain Scirea; otherwise, he would have played more than 100 games for Italy. But even as an opponent, when he was still just a kid, I could tell what he was made of,” said the former goalkeeper.

Galli joined Milan in 1986: “And I got to know Baresi the person very well. An exceptional man and an example to everyone: in the four years we spent together, he missed maybe three training sessions at most. Then again, we’re talking about a phenomenal player. Franco wasn’t tall or muscular. In fact, he was on the skinny side, almost slight. Yet I’ve never seen anyone with that kind of strength in their legs. He was also a master at reading the game, a trait that allowed him to excel in Sacchi’s style of soccer.”

“I don’t even think Baresi wanted to be a leader; if anything, it was the others who recognized his role, even through their glances and silences. I jealously guard a photo. Barcelona, 1989—we’d just won the European Cup against Steaua. The UEFA president placed the trophy in Franco’s arms, and I was standing right there behind him. It came naturally to me to lift him up just as he raised the Cup toward the sky.”

“I’ve never heard a single bad word about Baresi from a rival,” Galli continued. Players like him or Maldini have no flaws; they can’t be criticized or attacked in any way. That’s why I imagine that even many fans of other teams have shed tears during these days of mourning.”