Franco Baresi, AC Milan’s Legendary Captain, Dies at 66

Overview

• AC Milan confirmed the death of Franco Baresi on Friday, July 31, 2026, and the club announced a funeral for Tuesday, August 4 at 11:00 local time in the Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio in Milan.
• The club has not disclosed an official cause of death; reporting notes Baresi underwent surgery to remove a pulmonary nodule in August 2025 and received cancer‑related treatment thereafter without linking those treatments to his passing.
• Tributes poured in from clubs, former teammates and political leaders including Paolo Maldini, Carlo Ancelotti and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and the FIGC and domestic leagues have ordered formal honours and moments of silence at upcoming matches.
• Baresi spent his entire professional career at AC Milan from 1978 to 1997, played about 719 matches, won six Serie A titles and three European Cups, served as a youth coach and was named vice‑president honorary in 2020 with his No.6 shirt retired.
• Immediate effects include national commemorations during match days and a private role for the current Milan squad, which is on preseason abroad and therefore will not attend the funeral, while the city and club prepare public tributes.