Franco Baresi, former AC Milan and Italy defender, dies aged 66

AC Milan mourns iconic captain who defined an era of defensive excellence

Milan, the club Baresi represented for his entire 20-year career and won three Champions League titles with, announced his death on Friday morning.

A World Cup winner with Italy in 1982 and a finalist at the 1994 World Cup, Baresi is regarded as one of the greatest sweepers in football history.

In February, Baresi was one of the torchbearers for the Olympic ​flame at the opening ceremony for the Milano ‌Cortina Winter Games, appearing alongside ‌former Inter Milan and Italy defender Giuseppe Bergomi, his longtime rival on the pitch.