Thousands of fans and numerous football icons gathered on Tuesday at the Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio for the final farewell to Franco Baresi, a man whose integrity was woven into the DNA of the club from San Siro.
On Tuesday, August 4, 2026, Milan was shrouded in grief. The historic Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio hosted the solemn funeral of Franco Baresi, the legendary captain of AC Milan and the Italian national team, who passed away last week at the age of 66. Thousands of fans dressed in red and black, along with numerous football legends, came to pay their last respects to a man who defined the very concept of club loyalty.
"Ciao capitano" (Goodbye, captain) read the banner displayed by fans in front of the church, while others waved a giant Milan flag bearing Baresi's name and his iconic number six. The club retired that number forever after his retirement in 1997, making him the first player in Rossoneri history to receive such an honor.
Among those gathered for the mass were his former coach Fabio Capello and legendary defensive teammate from both Milan and the Italian national team, Paolo Maldini. Also in attendance was Gerry Cardinale, founder of the American investment firm RedBird Capital Partners, which owns AC Milan. His arrival was met with whistles from some fans frustrated with the club's management.
The club bid an emotional farewell to its icon. "The entire history of AC Milan mourns the death of Franco Baresi. His example and integrity will forever remain woven into the DNA of the club, just like his iconic number six jersey. The condolences that AC Milan extends to Franco Baresi's family during these difficult times are shared by all Rossoneri, who feel this loss as their own," read the statement.
Baresi was the embodiment of loyalty. He spent his entire twenty-year career, from 1977 to 1997, at San Siro, playing 719 matches for Milan. He wore the captain's armband for 15 seasons, leading the club through its toughest times, including two relegations to Serie B in the early eighties. With the club, he won six Italian league titles and three major European trophies.
He earned 81 caps for the Italian national team. He was part of the squad that won the World Cup in 1982, and eight years later, on home soil, he led Italy to a bronze medal. The pinnacle of his international career came at the 1994 World Cup in the United States. After knee surgery, he returned to the pitch in just 25 days and played all 120 minutes of the final against Brazil, in which Italy ultimately lost on penalties.
The last years of Baresi's life were marked by a battle with a serious illness. The situation was so delicate that Milan recently had to deny false reports of his death, confirming only that he was going through a "difficult and delicate period." Sadly, the legendary captain did not win this, his most important battle of life.
