Legendary Defender Franco Baresi Passes Away

Franco Baresi, one of Italy's most iconic footballers, has passed away at the age of 66. Baresi spent his entire career with AC Milan and was considered one of the club's most emblematic figures. Last year, he underwent surgery to remove a nodule from his lung and was under the supervision of cancer specialists.AC Milan issued a statement on social media, mourning the loss of Baresi. The club stated that Baresi's exemplary character and integrity will live on in the club's DNA forever. Baresi was among the torchbearers at the opening ceremony of the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics in February.During his 20-year career, Baresi won six Serie A titles and three European championships with Milan. He captained the team for 15 seasons before retiring in 1997. After his retirement, Milan retired his number 6 jersey, making him the first player in the club's history to receive this honor.Baresi was a member of Italy's 1982 World Cup-winning squad and also led the team to the final of the 1994 World Cup. Although he missed a penalty in the final against Brazil, his performance just 25 days after knee surgery left a lasting impression.Baresi earned 81 caps for the Italian national team, standing out for his game intelligence, positional sense, and ability to build plays from the back. Alongside Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Costacurta, and Mauro Tassotti, he formed a defensive line that marked one of the most successful periods in Milan's history.