Bologna, July 31, 2026 – Farewell to Baresi II, as it used to be said. We have lost Franz, the captain of Milan and the National Team, and he was only 66 years old. The illness, discovered a year ago. The surgery, the doubts, the hopes, the fear. The return to San Siro, in the stands. Pale and thin, it was said. But Baresi Franco, from Travagliato, never had an extra gram. Hollow face, deep eyes, and long silences. And a natural authority.
Franco Baresi may not have been football itself, because there have been great champions, but Baresi was, and remains Milan. In a football world where flags change every summer, Franz, who had received the baton from Gianni Rivera, was the lifeline for every Milan fan. In fact, more than Gianni Rivera (no offense to the number 10), because Rivera had started at Alessandria. Franz did not. Milan youth teams, after being rejected by Inter – which already had Baresi I, that is older brother Beppe, and they did not think, as the story goes, that two Serie A players could come from the same family – and a very young debut, in Verona.
The number 6 jersey: fast-tracked, able to assert himself
Launched by Liedholm, with the number 7 jersey. Then, a few months later, the jersey would become number 6: the Rossoneri run of 1978/79. There are veterans like Rivera, Albertosi, Bigon, and Maldera. He, the Piscinin (one of the first nicknames), quiet and with a proud look. Able to make himself understood and assert himself. They call him UFO because they say he is so good he must come from another planet. He fast-tracks. He wins the star scudetto. They want him in the National Team, but ahead is the icon Scirea. At the 1982 World Cup, Franchino is there. Bearzot, who cannot touch Scirea, suggests the idea of moving him to midfield. Franz is a born libero and does not move. In the year of Milan’s relegation on the field, he is struck by a disease then considered mysterious. Franz stays out for a long time, Milan is relegated. Many want him. He does not.
He stays in Milan. The number 6 libero, although in the last Liedholm’s management, he will change number. Everyone wants him. He resists. He, Paolino Maldini, Mauro Tassotti, Filippo Galli, and Billy Costacurta. Berlusconi with Sacchi and the Dutch will arrive. But Franz is already there. He returns to the national team with Vicini, in 1986. He plays right at Dall’Ara in Bologna against Greece. Head held high and arm raised to call offside. They call him the Policeman (derisively), Franz is football. He is sacrifice. He is Milan. He never gives up his jersey and wins everything.
The meniscus tear at the ’94 World Cup and the lightning return
At the 1994 World Cup in Pasadena, wearing the blue jersey, he kicks a penalty over the bar. Let us not forget that he tore a meniscus right at the American World Cup and returned to the field after 11 days. Because what is impossible for others becomes possible for him, Franz, the captain, the extraterrestrial. Years pass, the triumphs remain. He makes a jump to English football. But it is like a vacation. Baresi is Milan. And Milan cannot do without its captain.
The defense of the Invincibles with Capello on the bench and a thousand battles. Tough, certainly, never mean. Respect and authority cannot be bought on the market. The taciturn Franz has them inside. Vice president of Milan, because the flags must wave. Like the number 6 jersey. In fact, as it was said that time “6 forever”. Forever Baresi. The captain who left us too soon.
The memory of Bfc: “Milan flag, he will never be forgotten”
Thus Bologna on its X profile: “Bologna FC 1909 joins the mourning of the entire football world for the passing of Franco Baresi, unforgettable Flag of Milan and the National Team. Our deepest condolences go to the family and AC Milan.”
Read more Bomb alarm on Viale Vicini, the second in three days in Bologna
