AC Milan release statement to deny false rumours that Franco Baresi has died

Jul 30, 2026 - 08:30

AC Milan have moved quickly to deny completely false rumours that Franco Baresi has died.

Baresi established himself as one of the greatest defenders in football history during a glittering 20-year career with AC Milan and Italy.

Franco Baresi playing for AC Milan — Baresi was named AC Milan’s ‘Player of the Century’ in 1999

The 66-year-old captained the Rossoneri for 15 seasons, winning three European Cups and six Serie A titles.

Such is Baresi’s legendary status with Milan, his iconic No.6 shirt remains retired.

The legendary defender continues to operate within the club as an honorary vice-president, although he has experienced health problems in recent years.

Baresi underwent surgery in August 2025 to remove a pulmonary nodule and has since been undergoing immunotherapy treatment.

Milan were forced to address his health situation on Wednesday night as a death hoax spread on social media.

“AC Milan denies the false reports concerning Franco Baresi that have begun circulating in recent minutes,” the official statement read.

“Franco is going through a difficult and delicate time, and the Club stands firmly alongside him and his family.

“We urge everyone to respect their privacy and refrain from spreading entirely unfounded information.”

The greatest ever?

The late Argentina legend Diego Maradona, who played in Italy against Milan, once described Baresi as his greatest adversary, while multiple Italian legends such as Paolo Maldini have described him as their inspiration.

Nicknamed ‘Piscinin’, which translates to ‘the little one’, the former centre-back stood at 5ft 9ins, relying on skill and football IQ rather than strength.

Franco Baresi with the European Cup — Baresi led one of Italian football’s greatest-ever teams to European glory three times

Like Germany legend Franz Beckenbauer, Baresi helped to popularise the ‘sweeper’ role in a career which spanned across the 70s, 80s, and 90s.

Late Chelsea legend Ray Wilkins once said of Baresi: “Franco was the best player I have ever played with.

“The guy was world class to his core. He had everything – pace, two feet.

“And he was a leader of men.”

Writing in the Guardian in 2009, Rio Ferdinand, then of Manchester United and England, wrote: “I’ve asked [Fabio Capello] about Baresi and he said he was one of the best players he’s ever worked with.

“He played as a sweeper for Milan, coming out of nowhere to thwart any danger.

“Baresi was a special footballer, someone who marshalled his whole back line, who was good on the ball, was comfortable, who led his defence… I’d love to be the player he was, bloody hell.”