Franco Baresi was not just the captain of AC Milan; he embodied the loyalty, leadership, and defensive prowess that formed the backbone of one of football’s most celebrated teams. Over nearly 20 years, the iconic Italian defender dedicated his entire professional career to Milan, leading the club for 15 seasons and contributing to the victory of six Serie A titles and three European Cups. Last week, Baresi passed away at the age of 66 after battling an illness. On Tuesday, he was honored in Milan with an emotional farewell, attended by thousands of fans and football legends from various generations.
Event Context
The funeral service took place at the historic Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio, where supporters donned Milan’s iconic red and black colors, filling the streets surrounding the venue. Spectators held flags emblazoned with Baresi’s name and his legendary number six, while a banner outside the church read ‘Ciao capitano,’ honoring their beloved captain with a heartfelt farewell.
Among the mourners was Paolo Maldini, who played alongside Baresi at both Milan and the Italian national team before stepping into his role as the club’s defensive stalwart. Other notable attendees included Marco van Basten, Clarence Seedorf, Roberto Baggio, and Alessandro Costacurta, uniting some of the most celebrated names in Italian and European football.
Baresi’s international career was equally illustrious. He earned 81 caps for Italy and contributed to the team that claimed victory at the 1982 World Cup. He later captained the Azzurri during the 1994 tournament, infamously competing in the final against Brazil just 25 days post-knee surgery. Although he missed a penalty in the ensuing shootout, it did not overshadow his remarkable performance or his enduring legacy. Over three decades later, the emotional scenes outside Sant’Ambrogio reflected the profound impact Baresi had on Milan, as the entire city of football paid tribute to its timeless captain.
Player Focus
Ahead of Wednesday’s friendly match against their city rivals Inter in Perth, AC Milan will honor the legendary Franco Baresi. The players are set to wear black armbands, and a minute’s silence will be observed, accompanied by commemorative messages and images of Baresi before kickoff. Baresi, who played for Milan from 1978 to 1997, made an impressive 719 official appearances and netted 33 goals. Throughout his illustrious career, he helped the Rossoneri secure 18 major trophies, including six league titles, three European Cups, four Italian Super Cups, and three European Super Cups.
In recognition of his contributions, Milan retired the number six shirt after Baresi’s retirement, marking him as the first player in the club’s history to receive such an honor. In 2020, he was also named honorary vice-president of the club.
Team Analysis
Fabio Capello, the former AC Milan coach, was in attendance, along with Gerry Cardinale, founder of RedBird Capital Partners and owner of the club. Cardinale faced boos from some fans who expressed ongoing dissatisfaction with the club’s management. Current Milan player Christian Pulisic also attended, although most of the first-team squad was unable to join due to their pre-season tour in Australia.
