Mourners line streets of Milan for legend Baresi’s funeral
Thousands gathered in Milan on Tuesday to bid farewell to Franco Baresi, the club's iconic defender whose entire 20-year career spanned one of the sport's most successful eras. The funeral service at Sant'Ambrogio Basilica drew fellow legends including Paolo Maldini and Marco van Basten, who came to honour a teammate whose captaincy lasted 15 seasons and whose shirt number was subsequently retired as one of only two in club history.
Baresi's record at Milan included six Serie A titles, three European Cups and 719 appearances, establishing him as a towering figure in Italian football. Beyond his domestic dominance, his 81 international caps contributed to Italy's 1982 World Cup victory, and he captained the nation in the 1994 final despite the team's ultimate defeat to Brazil.
- Franco Baresi, AC Milan's legendary 66-year-old defender and 15-season captain, was laid to rest Tuesday with thousands of mourners filling Milan's streets
- The one-club man amassed 719 appearances and 18 trophies during his career, whilst earning 81 caps for Italy and a place in the nation's 1982 World Cup winning squad
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Franco Baresi was an Italian football defender who spent his entire senior club career at AC Milan, from 1977 to 1997. He became the team’s captain and played in a period when Milan won major Italian and European trophies.
Baresi also represented Italy internationally, including at the 1982 World Cup, which Italy won. He captained the national team in the 1994 final, where Italy lost to Brazil.
His long service made him one of Milan’s most recognisable players, and the club retired his shirt number. His career links Milan’s club history with a successful era for Italian football.