Savicevic laments Baresi’s missed Ballon d’Or, calls it a shame

Dejan Savicevic, speaking from his home in Budva, Montenegro, says it is a disgrace that Franco Baresi never received the Pallone d’Oro, adding that even Sammer and Cannavaro were not comparable to the Italian defender. He describes his sorrow as a heavy weight he cannot share.

Il Genio è triste. "Ho il magone, un peso che non ti dico. Povero Franco, quanto mi dispiace," Savicevic confesses, his voice trembling. The former Yugoslav midfielder sits in Budva, Montenegro, recalling the deep bond he felt with his captain.

"Era il mio capitano, il mio grande capitano," he repeats, emphasizing Baresi’s role at Milan. Savicevic stresses that the club revolved around Baresi, and that no one will ever replace him.

He remembers their first encounter in the 1988 Coppa dei Campioni, first at San Siro and then in Belgrade. "Un capitano" he says, noting the respect Baresi earned even in Yugoslavia.

Savicevic recounts the famous fog‑filled night of penalties, saying he missed his spot‑kick while Baresi scored and Milan won the Cup. "Nel" memory of that night remains vivid for him.

Comparing Baresi to Beckenbauer, he adds that Baresi and Paolo Maldini were the world’s best. "Soprattutto il Pallone d’Oro," he insists, calling it a shame that journalists never awarded it to Baresi while Sammer and Cannavaro did.

He blames the press, saying "Ma non l’avete votato" and that Dutch players like Rijkaard always came first. "Non" was the verdict of the voters, not the quality of Baresi’s play.

Savicevic describes Baresi’s leadership: "Dai Dejan, porta pazienza, siamo in tanti, tutti bravi." He recalls the captain’s comforting hug during his own crisis, urging him not to quit.

He vividly describes Baresi’s 1995 goal against Padova, noting the assist from Weah and the joy on Baresi’s face as he celebrated like a child. "Nel" match, Baresi was 35 and had played about 500 league games.

Savicevic says his last contact with Baresi was in May through Daniele Massaro, and he plans to stand before the Duomo on Tuesday, a quarter of an hour before the funeral, because "Franco Baresi deserves the Duomo".