Vandalism of Baresi mural sparks outrage in Milan, Italy
A mural honouring legendary former defender Franco Baresi has been defaced with spray paint in Milan, sparking a wave of controversy across Italy. The artwork, situated in Piazza Gino Valle opposite Casa Milan in the Lombardia region, was vandalised just two months after the 66‑year‑old captain’s death.
The piece, created by a local artist identified only as Lucas, depicts Baresi in his iconic black and red Milan kit. Foto: ANSA / Ansa - Brasil shows the mural now covered in red spray, obscuring the player’s face, the club’s sponsor and the inscription ‘You’ll never walk alone’.
The artwork was unveiled shortly after Baresi’s death in July, when the 66‑year‑old former captain passed away. Earlier this month, Juventus supporters honoured him at the Allianz Stadium before their Serie A clash with Milan, underscoring the respect he commanded across Italian football.
Official condemnation
Alessandro Giungi, a municipal councillor for the Democratic Party, denounced the act as “cowardly and deplorable”. He urged the authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice and called for solidarity with the football community.
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Former Internazionale goalkeeper Walter Zenga also weighed in, describing Baresi as an “adversary, national‑team colleague, captain and, above all, a man who gave dignity to Italian football”. He added that defacing the image offends not only Milan supporters but the whole history of the sport.
Lucas expressed his personal anguish, saying he was “deeply sad, not because of what I created, but because of the person it represented and all the people who were moved by seeing it”. He lamented that the vandalism destroyed a tribute that meant so much to fans.
Baresi’s enduring legacy
Franco Baresi spent his entire professional career at Milan, captaining the side to three European Cup triumphs and six Serie A titles. Renowned for his technical excellence and ability to launch attacks from defence, he helped rebuild the club after two relegations in the early 1980s, before the arrival of Silvio Berlusconi.
Milan officials have launched an investigation, reviewing CCTV footage around Casa Milan to identify those responsible. The club hopes the authorities will act swiftly, stressing that respect for the legend must unite supporters rather than divide them.