MILAN, ITALY - DECEMBER 15: Filippo Inzaghi, Franco Baresi and Marco van Basten with their commemorative plate after being inducted in to the AC Milan Hall of Fame prior to the Serie A match between AC Milan and Genoa at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on December 15, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
MILAN, ITALY - DECEMBER 15: Filippo Inzaghi, Franco Baresi and Marco van Basten with their commemorative plate after being inducted in to the AC Milan Hall of Fame prior to the Serie A match between AC Milan and Genoa at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on December 15, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Tributes have poured in from across the football world, with Inter, Juventus and Real Madrid among those honouring legendary Milan and Italy defender Franco Baresi, who has died at the age of 66.
Football clubs, players and fans pay tribute to Franco Baresi, who died last night at 66.
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The former Milan and Italy defender underwent surgery in August 2025 to remove a pulmonary nodule and then began a course of immunotherapy.
Milan announced the death of their legend in the morning, and the Rossoneri’s statement was followed by reactions from several Italian and European clubs as well as football fans on social media.
“Announcing the loss of someone who embodied the heart and soul of AC Milan, is incredibly difficult. But everyone at the Club and all the Milanisti must live up to Franco Baresi‘s memory,” Milan wrote.
“We must be strong and gather every bit of energy, even at this saddest of times. We lost Franco only a few months after his last public appearance in a packed San Siro, at the Milan Winter Olympics opening ceremony, an event on the world stage he helped make unforgettable.
In memory of Franco, we stand united, knowing he’ll guide and push us throughout our Rossoneri journey. Forever. Because Baresi is forever.”
Milan’s city rivals Inter paid tribute to Baresi with a statement. Baresi’s brother Giuseppe, 68, was a former Inter player who spent almost his entire playing career, except for the last two seasons, with the Nerazzurri.
MILAN, ITALY - DECEMBER 15: Franco Baresi looks on during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Genoa at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on December 15, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
MILAN, ITALY – DECEMBER 15: Franco Baresi looks on during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Genoa at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on December 15, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)