AC Milan great Franco Baresi dies at 66 after period of ill health
Why it matters: The longtime captain won six Serie A titles and two European Cups with Milan and reached the 1994 World Cup final with Italy.
Franco Baresi, the AC Milan and Italy defender widely regarded as one of football’s greatest center backs, has died at 66 after a period of ill health. Milan paid tribute to a player whose No. 6 shirt became synonymous with the club after a 20-year career spent entirely at San Siro. Baresi made 719 appearances for Milan, captained the side for 15 seasons, won six Serie A titles, two European Cups, four Italian Super Cups, two European Super Cups and two Intercontinental Cups. For Italy, he helped lead the team to the 1994 World Cup final, returning from a knee injury to play against Brazil. His last public appearance was at the Winter Olympics opening ceremony in February.