Italy mourns Milan legend Franco Baresi after serious illness

Italy's football community mourns the passing of Milan legend Franco Baresi, who died Friday night at age 66 after a serious illness, the club AC Milan confirmed the news as of 09:45 on 31 July 2026. The news, reported by news agency ANSA, sent shockwaves through the nation. He was widely regarded as one of the finest defenders in the storied history of the Squadra Azzurra.

Rumours of Baresi’s death circulated on Wednesday, sparking a round of online speculation. Italy’s vice‑prime minister Matteo Salvini posted a condolence message on X, only to discover the reports were premature.

AC Milan quickly issued a statement to refute the false reports, confirming that Baresi was indeed battling a difficult and delicate phase of his illness.

AC Milan mourns iconic defender Franco Baresi, at 66

According to the sports newspaper dello Sport, a lung nodule had been removed from Baresi last year. The club added, “It is incredibly hard to announce the loss of a man who embodied the heart and soul of AC Milan.”

Even the packed San Siro witnessed his final public appearance during the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Milan in early February.

He spent his entire professional career at AC Milan, debuting in 1978 and retiring in 1997 without ever playing for another club. During that period he won six Serie A championships and three European Cup titles.

He was part of the 1982 World Cup‑winning, World champion Italy squad, although he did not feature on the pitch. He later played in the 1994 World Cup final, which Italy lost to Brazil on penalties, and was named Italy’s Footballer of the Year in 1990.