AC Milan icon Franco Baresi was honored during a funeral service in Milan this Tuesday. The legendary defender, who passed away last week at 66, was mourned by former teammates and passionate supporters.
The 20-year legacy of the San Siro's Player of the Century
Franco Baresi spent two decades at the San Siro, earning the title of AC Milan's Player of the Century in 1999. According to the report, this tenure included six Serie A titles and three European Cups, as well as two stints in Serie B during the 1980s. baresi's career represents a vanishing breed of the "one-club man," a stark contrast to the modern era of frequent transfers and short-term contracts.
The retirement of Baresi's No. 6 jersey serves as a permanent marker of his influence on the game. his ability to anchor a defense for twenty years established a blueprint for the modern sweeper role, influencing generations of Italian defenders who followed in his footsteps.
From Paolo Maldini to the booing of Gerry Cardinale
The funeral at Basilica di Sant'Ambrogio brought together titans of the game, including Paolo Maldini, Marco van Basten, and Roberto Baggio. The ceremony was marked by deep reverence, with former players Dejan Savicevic and Daniele Massaro carrying Baresi's signed white captain's armband into the church. Beppe Bergomi provided the first reading, while fans outside chanted that Baresi was the only true captain of the club.
However, the event also exposed current fractures within the AC Milan organization. As reported by Gazzetta dello Sport, AC Milan chairman Paolo Scaroni and RedBird founder Gerry Cardinale were booed by the crowd upon their arrival. This reaction suggests a significant disconnect between the club's current corporate leadership and a fanbase that clings to the traditional values embodied by Baresi.
Black armbands in Perth for the Inter Milan clash
While the majority of the AC Milan squad is currently in Australia for pre-season training, injured players Christian Pulisic and Santiago Gimenez remained in Italy to attend the service. their presence provided a bridge between the club's storied past and its current roster.
The tribute will extend to the pitch on Wednesday, where the AC Milan team will wear black armbands during their match against Inter Milan in Perth. This "Down Under" clash adds a poignant layer to the rivalry, as the team honors a man who spent his entire professional life fighting for the Rossoneri.
The 'Piscinin' nickname and the twist of fate with Giuseppe Baresi
Franco Baresi's journey began with a twist of fate when he joined the AC Milan academy after his elder brother, Giuseppe Baresi, was recruited by the academy of rivals Inter Milan. He made his senior debut at the age of 17 and was given the nickname "Piscinin"—meaning "little one" in the Milanese dialect—by the club's masseur, Paolo Mariconti.
Despite the detailed account of his life and the ceremony, several key details remain unverified. the source does not disclose the specific cause of death for the 66-year-old legend, nor does it provide direct statements from the Baresi family regarding his final days. Furthermore, the report focuses primarily on the AC Milan perspective, leaving the official reaction from the Italian national team's current leadership largely unquoted.
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