Legendary AC Milan And Italy Defender Franco Baresi Passes Away At 66
He won a World Cup in 1982 and had won several Serie A's and European Cup/ Champions League trophies with AC Milan
XtraTime Newsdesk: Legendary Italian defender Franco Baresi passed away today at the age of 66. The legendary AC Milan captain's death was announced by his former club on Friday with a statement saying, "Milan is in tears following the passing of Franco Baresi. His example and integrity will be forever etched into the Club's DNA, just as his iconic number 6 shirt is". Baresi meant a lot to Milan and Italy, as a whole.
He won a World Cup in 1982 and had won several Serie A's and European Cup/ Champions League trophies with AC Milan. Born in Lombardy in May 1960, Franchino "Franco" Baresi joined AC Milan's youth teams in 1974, before moving up to the first team in 1978 ahead of his 18th birthday.
He then became a starter at 18 and captain at 22, noticed for his technique, anticipation and tackling skills, as well as his notable leadership qualities.
Baresi went on to form, alongside Paolo Maldini, Mauro Tassotti and Alessandro Costacurta, a defence feared by every striker in Europe. He retired in 1997 after 719 matches with the Rossoneri, a record surpassed only by Maldini.
In addition to his red and black club jersey, Baresi wore the blue of the Nazionale 81 times.
But after a World Cup title from the bench in 1982, he did not make the trip to Mexico in 1986 following a disagreement with the national coach.
Penalty shootouts, in the semi-final of the 1990 World Cup and then in the final in 1994, shattered his hopes of another triumph.