(foto: Getty Images)
Thousands of supporters and football legends gathered in Milan to pay their final respects to Franco Baresi, one of the greatest defenders in football history.
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AC Milan and the football world came together to bid an emotional farewell to Franco Baresi, one of the greatest defenders the game has ever seen.
Thousands of supporters filled the streets of Milan as the club's legendary captain was laid to rest following a long illness. The funeral became a tribute to a man whose name remains inseparable from one of the most successful eras in the history of the Rossoneri.
A final goodbye in Milan
The funeral service was held at the Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio, where former teammates, football legends and current players gathered to honor one of Italy's greatest sporting icons.
Among those in attendance were Paolo Maldini, Marco van Basten, Clarence Seedorf, Roberto Baggio and Alessandro Costacurta. Current Milan winger Christian Pulisic also joined the mourners to pay his respects.
The large turnout reflected the enormous impact Baresi had on AC Milan, Italian football and the sport worldwide.
A one-club legend
Baresi devoted his entire professional career to AC Milan, becoming the symbol of the club for more than two decades.
He captained the Rossoneri for 15 seasons, making 719 official appearances and scoring 33 goals.
During his remarkable career, he helped Milan win 18 major trophies, including six Serie A titles, three European Cups/UEFA Champions League titles, four Italian Super Cups, three UEFA Super Cups and two Intercontinental or Club World Cup titles.
An Italian icon
On the international stage, Baresi earned 81 caps for Italy.
He was part of Italy's 1982 World Cup-winning squad and later captained the Azzurri to the 1994 FIFA World Cup final, where Italy narrowly lost to Brazil in a penalty shootout.
His leadership, elegance and defensive intelligence made him one of the defining players of his generation.
An everlasting legacy
In recognition of his extraordinary contribution, AC Milan appointed Baresi as the club's honorary president in 2020.
The club also permanently retired his iconic No. 6 shirt, ensuring that future generations would remember the man who became known simply as the "eternal captain."
As thousands gathered to say goodbye, Milan paid tribute to a footballer whose legacy will forever remain woven into the fabric of one of the world's greatest clubs.