Thousands of people gathered on the streets of Milan on Tuesday for the funeral of legendary defender Franco Baresi, who spent his entire 20-year professional career at AC Milan. The 66-year-old died last week after a period of ill health.
Regarded as one of the greatest defenders to play the game, Baresi captained Milan for 15 seasons, making 719 appearances and scoring 33 goals. The centre-back won 18 trophies with the Rossoneri: six Serie A titles, three Champions Leagues, four Italian Super Cups, three Uefa Super Cups and two Club World Cups.
He was capped 81 times by Italy and was part of the squad which won the 1982 World Cup. He played and was captain in the 1994 final, which Italy lost to Brazil. Baresi was made honorary president of Milan in 2020, and his number six shirt was retired when he finished his playing career.
The funeral service was held at Sant'Ambrogio Basilica and club greats including Paolo Maldini, Marco van Basten, Clarence Seedorf, Roberto Baggio and Alessandro Costacurta were in attendance.
The current AC Milan squad is in Australia on a pre-season tour but some first-team players not involved did attend, including USA forward Christian Pulisic.
AC Milan will pay tribute to their former captain ahead of their friendly match again Inter on Wednesday.
AC Milan and Italy great Baresi dies aged 66
Which club figures attended the service?
Several former AC Milan greats were among those present at Sant'Ambrogio Basilica, including Paolo Maldini, Marco van Basten, Clarence Seedorf, Roberto Baggio and Alessandro Costacurta. Former AC Milan midfielder Clarence Seedorf was among the mourners.
Former AC Milan forward Roberto Baggio was also in attendance, along with other former team-mates and club figures.
How is Baresi remembered by AC Milan?
Baresi is second on AC Milan's all-time appearance list and led the club to 17 trophies, the most by any club captain. He was made honorary president in 2020, and AC Milan have only retired two shirt numbers in their history: Franco Baresi's number six and Paolo Maldini's number three.
Mauro Tassotti and Paolo Maldini were part of the legendary AC Milan defence alongside Franco Baresi, helping define one of the club's most successful eras.
AC Milan's former Brazilian goalkeeper Dida is among the former club figures linked with the tribute to Baresi.
Former AC Milan forwards Daniele Massaro (left) and Dejan Savicevic (right) also form part of the club's wider tribute to the defender.
Former AC Milan defender and team-mate Alessandro Costacurta was present at the service.
Franco Baresi is second on AC Milan's all-time appearance list, underlining the scale of his contribution across two decades.
AC Milan have only retired two shirt numbers in their history: Franco Baresi's number six and Paolo Maldini's number three.
Franco Baresi led AC Milan to 17 trophies, the most by any club captain.
What was his record with Italy?
Baresi won 81 caps for Italy and was part of the squad that won the 1982 World Cup. He also played, and was captain, in the 1994 World Cup final, which Italy lost to Brazil.
What happens next?
AC Milan will pay tribute to their former captain ahead of their friendly match against Inter on Wednesday. The current squad is in Australia on a pre-season tour, but some first-team players not involved, including USA forward Christian Pulisic, attended the funeral.
