Franco Baresi, the legendary AC Milan defender and World Cup winner with Italy, has died at the age of 66.

Milan, the club Baresi represented for his entire 20-year career and won three Champions League titles with, announced his death on Friday morning.

No cause of death was given, but Baresi underwent surgery to remove a pulmonary nodule in August 2025 and had been receiving treatment.

His last public appearance at at Milan’s San Siro stadium in February, when he carried the torch into the opening ceremony for the Winger Olympics.

"The entire history of AC Milan is in tears," Milan said.

“Announcing the loss of someone who embodied the heart and soul of AC Milan, is incredibly difficult. But everyone at the club and all the Milanisti must live up to Franco Baresi’s memory. We must be strong and gather every bit of energy, even at this saddest of times.

“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.”

The former Milan captain, who was handed the armband at the age of just 22, is widely regarded as one of the finest defenders in football history played 719 times for the club in 20 seasons as a professional.

During that time, in what was a golden era for Milan, Baresi won six Serie A crowns, with his first Scudetto coming as a teenager during the 1978-79 campaign and he lifted five further titles in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

The defender also won three European Cups, two Intercontinental Cups and four Italian Supercups during his career.

On the international stage, Baresi was part of the Italy squad which won the World Cup in 1982, as well as featuring in the 1994 World Cup, which ended in a penalty shootout defeat to Brazil in the final.

When Baresi retired in 1997, Milan also retired his No. 6 jersey — which was a first for Italian football. The club also held a celebration match in his honor, featuring many stars Baresi had played with and against.

In February, Baresi was one of the torchbearers for the Olympic flame at the opening ceremony for the Milano Cortina Winter Games, appearing alongside former Inter Milan and Italy defender Giuseppe Bergomi, his longtime rival on the pitch.

“We lost Franco only a few months after his last public appearance in a packed San Siro, at the Milan Winter Olympics opening ceremony, an event on the world stage he helped make unforgettable,” Milan said.

“In memory of Franco, we stand united, knowing he’ll guide and push us throughout our Rossoneri journey. Forever. Because Baresi is forever.”

"Italian football has lost one of its legends," declared Italian Football Federation President Giovanni Malago. "An extraordinary champion who wore only two jerseys throughout his career: AC Milan and the Azzurri.

"A romantic choice, which has rightfully won him a place in the hearts of fans and millions of Italians. We will remember him as he deserves during the national team's upcoming matches, the national team for which he has always demonstrated exceptional dedication, becoming one of its most glorious symbols."

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