Italian football mourns Franco Baresi

Franco Baresi, former AC Milan captain and Rossoneri honorary vice-president, has passed away aged 66.

Widely regarded as one of the game's best-ever defenders, Baresi revolutionised the role, marshalling Milan's famously tight defence through a period of domestic and European success.

Baresi spent his entire club career with the Rossoneri, and was captain for 15 seasons, winning three European Cup/UEFA Champions League titles, two UEFA Super Cups, six Serie A trophies, four Italian Cups and two Intercontinental Cups.

"Franco Baresi was the ultimate symbol of Italy's great defensive tradition: a player of extraordinary tactical intelligence, with the heart of a warrior and the manners of a gentleman.," said UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin. "He won six Serie A titles at a time when the league was the most competitive in the world, as well as three European Cups - all as captain and as the undisputed leader of the same club.

 "Over the years, I had the privilege of getting to know him and speaking with him on several occasions. I was always struck by his dignity, humility, natural kindness and generosity - qualities that belong only to true legends.

"I would like to express my sincere condolences to his family, to AC Milan, to Italian football and to all those who have loved him." 

AC Milan also published a statement following Baresi's passing. "The entire history of AC Milan is in tears following the passing of Franco Baresi," it said. "His example and integrity will be forever etched into the Club's DNA, just as his iconic number 6 shirt is. The condolences AC Milan extends to Franco Baresi's family at such a difficult time are shared by every Rossonero, who feels this loss as their own."

At international level, Baresi scored once in 81 appearances for Italy and was part of the squad at both UEFA EURO 1980 and 1988. He was also in the 1982 World Cup-winning squad, going on to captain the Azzurri in the final of the 1994 edition.

Italian Football Federation (FIGC) president Giovanni Malagò said: "Italian football is losing one of its legends – an extraordinary champion who in his entire career wore only two jerseys, that of Milan and that of the Azzurra. We will remember him as he deserves on the occasion of the next matches of the national team, for which he has always shown an exceptional attachment, becoming one of the most glorious symbols.”