Legendary Milan Defender's Legacy Lives On
AC Milan legend Franco Baresi, 66, remembered for enduring legacy beyond his playing career.
Event / Sports
Franco Baresi Death
Franco Baresi, legendary AC Milan captain and Italian national team defender who won the 1982 World Cup, died on July 31, 2026, at age 66. He spent his entire career at AC Milan (1977-1997), winning six Serie A titles and three European Cups, and earned 81 caps for Italy.
1 reported locations
Daily activity
0 articles0 articles
2026-08-14 to 2026-11-11 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 31 Jul, 08:18 UTC
Follow the documented timeline or explore the related reporting.
What happened
Franco Baresi became AC Milan vice president emeritus in 2020
Franco Baresi was appointed as honorary vice president of AC Milan in 2020, a position he held until his death.
Franco Baresi served as Olympic torch bearer for Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Games
Franco Baresi was among the final torch bearers during the opening ceremony of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics in February 2026, carrying the Olympic flame despite recent health challenges.
Franco Baresi, legendary AC Milan defender, dies at 66
Franco Baresi, the iconic captain of AC Milan and Italian national team defender, died at age 66. The club announced his death on Friday, July 31, 2026. Baresi spent his entire professional career at AC Milan from 1977 to 1997, becoming captain at age 22. He won six Italian league titles and three European Cups (1989, 1990, 1994) with Milan. He earned 81 caps for Italy, winning the 1982 FIFA World Cup without playing, and was a starting player and captain in the 1994 World Cup final.
Franco Baresi underwent lung surgery in August 2025
Franco Baresi had undergone surgical intervention in August 2025 to remove a pulmonary nodule, a spot on his lung detected during routine examination. The club did not publicly disclose whether this condition was related to his death.
Read the coverage
2 alternative perspectives