Emotions and jeers clash at Baresi’s Milan funeral
Franco Baresi’s funeral was held at the Basilica Sant’Ambrogio in Milan on August 4, 2026, drawing heartfelt tributes from supporters and club legends while patron Gerry Cardinale endured jeers from the crowd. The event combined deep emotion with a clear display of dissent toward the club’s ownership.
The iconic captain died last week at the age of 66 after treatment for pulmonary nodules that were discovered in August 2025. His passing sparked an outpouring of grief across the football world.
The ceremony was televised on Rete 4 in Italy and attracted former teammates, colleagues and friends who gathered to say goodbye. The broadcast reached fans throughout ITALY, underscoring Baresi’s national significance.
Thousands of Supporters lined the streets around the church, turning the area into a Curva Sud of San Siro with huge flags, banners, fireworks and chants. A large sign read, “Legend, immortal, inimitable flag that will never stop waving. Ciao Captain.”
PAOLO Maldini and his wife Adriana Fossa attended the service, joining the chorus of fans chanting Baresi’s name and the songs that once echoed around the arena. The atmosphere was charged with La reverence for the former captain.
When RedBird patron and Milan owner Gerry Cardinale emerged from the basilica, he was drowned out by loud jeers from the Curva Sud, accompanied by calls for the American to sell up and leave the Rossoneri. Audible jeers also targeted current President Paolo Scaroni and Mayor Giuseppe Sala.
Baresi had remained the honorary vice‑president of AC Milan, working under Cardinale’s tenure, which made the jeering of the patron all the more striking. The juxtaposition highlighted lingering tensions between the club’s leadership and its fan base.
There was no ideal way to say goodbye to a legend who still served the club, leaving supporters to wonder how the relationship between the Rossoneri and its owners will evolve after the funeral.