Historic captain of both AC Milan and the Italian national team, Baresi leaves behind a sporting and human legacy that will remain indelible.
The legendary Rossoneri and Italy captain has passed away at the age of 66 after battling illness.
With Milan, he wrote unforgettable pages of history, winning six league titles and three European Cups, becoming a symbol of loyalty, leadership and belonging.
For Italy, Baresi played a starring role on the international stage and won the World Cup in 1982.
In the message released by the club, Milan emphasised how his example, leadership and the values he embodied over more than forty years with the Rossoneri colours will continue to be part of the club’s DNA, while also expressing their condolences to his family.
"The entire history of AC Milan is in tears following the passing of Franco Baresi," the club said in a statement.
"His example and integrity will be forever etched into the Club's DNA, just as his iconic number six shirt is.
"The condolences AC Milan extends to Franco Baresi's family at such a difficult time are shared by every Rossonero, who feels this loss as their own."
In recent years, the former defender had fought bravely against illness.
In 2025, he underwent surgery to remove a lung nodule, but continued to appear in public, returning to San Siro and even taking part in the opening ceremony of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics as one of the final torchbearers.