Italy bids farewell to Franco Baresi: Maldini, Inter and Juve pay tribute to a legend
Former AC Milan captain passes away at 66, emotional messages pour in from all sides
Former AC Milan captain passes away at 66, emotional messages pour in from all sides
Legendary Italian footballer Franco Baresi passed away on Friday, July 31, 2026, at the age of 66, according to international media. The former AC Milan captain and one of the greatest defenders in history leaves behind an indelible legacy, and news of his death has sparked an outpouring of grief across Italy and the world.
From the club with which he won six Serie A titles, they said it is difficult to announce the loss of "the heartbeat of our heart and the breath of our soul." "Franco left us after giving us one last magnificent image a few months ago at a packed stadium, at the opening ceremony of the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics," read the statement, as reported by France's L'Équipe. "He will always hold our hand and give us extra motivation for every rossonero moment. Because Baresi is forever."
The greatest rivals also paid tribute. Inter highlighted Baresi's role in the magnificent Milan derbies: "Captain, leader and standard-bearer of Milan, he lived every duel with us as a respectable competitor, at the heart of a rivalry that wrote unforgettable pages of Italian football." Juventus, meanwhile, said that some people enter history through talent, while others remain there forever through their humanity. "Franco Baresi was both, class, style, leadership and respect," said the Bianconeri.
Paolo Maldini, another legendary Milan captain, bid farewell to his idol with emotional words: "What will we do without our captain? You protected me when I was a child, guided me as an adolescent and inspired me as an adult." According to L'Équipe, legendary goalkeeper Dino Zoff and Italy's highest state officials also expressed their condolences.
As reported by Italian daily La Repubblica, the town of Travagliato, where Baresi grew up, has declared three days of mourning. Don Piero, 88, recalled the childhood of the great defender: "I remember afternoons at the oratory's playing field. We had an incredibly strong team of boys back then, we invited Milan and Inter and managed to beat them both."
Franco Baresi will be remembered as one of the greatest defenders of all time and a symbol of an era of football.
