Former AC Milan defender Franco Baresi dies at 66
Legendary AC Milan defender and Italian World Cup winner Franco Baresi has passed away at the age of 66. The club honored his legacy as a one-club player who captained the team through a period of global dominance.
Why it matters
Baresi is widely considered one of the greatest defenders in football history, and his death marks a significant loss for the global sports community.
Franco Baresi, the former AC Milan defender and World Cup winner with Italy, has died. He was 66. His death was announced on Friday (July 31, 2026) by Milan, the football club where he spent his entire 20-year playing career. No cause of death was given.
"The entire history of AC Milan is in tears," Milan said.
In August 2025, Baresi underwent surgery to remove a pulmonary nodule and subsequently began a course of immunotherapy. His last public appearance was at the opening ceremony for the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics in February, when along with former Inter Milan defender Giuseppe Bergomi, he carried the torch into the San Siro — the stadium he formerly played in.
Franco Baresi of Italy in action against Brazil’s Romario at the 1994 World Cup | Photo Credit: Action Images
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