Franco Baresi
Franco Baresi grew up on a farmstead on the outskirts of Travagliato, a small town in northern Italy. He did not watch football on television until he was 10 years old. His early life lacked the glamour often associated with future stars. The local club Inter Milan rejected him during his youth tryouts. They chose his older brother Giuseppe instead. This rejection sent Franco down a different path to AC Milan. The two brothers would eventually captain their respective teams shortly after joining their senior squads. Their image while exchanging pennants became the trademark of Milan's derby della Madonnina throughout the 80s.
Baresi made his Serie A debut at age 17 during the 1977, 78 season on the 23rd of April 1978. He spent his entire 20-year professional career with AC Milan. The following season, he was made a member of the starting 11. Milan faced relegation to Serie B twice during the early 1980s. The club fell to Serie B in 1980 due to match fixing scandals and again after finishing third-last in the 1981, 82 season. Despite these dark periods, Baresi elected to stay with Milan. He won the Serie B title for the second time during the 1982, 83 season. This effort brought Milan back to Serie A. After Aldo Maldera and Fulvio Collovati left the club in 1982, Baresi was appointed Milan's captain at age 22. He held this position for much of his time at the club. In 1999, he was voted Milan's Player of the Century. His final season ended in 1996, 97 when he retired at age 37.
During the end of the 1980s and the first half of the 1990s, Baresi formed an all-Italian defence alongside Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Costacurta, Mauro Tassotti, and later Christian Panucci. Under managers Arrigo Sacchi and Fabio Capello, this unit is regarded by many as one of the greatest of all time. When the attacking Dutch trio of Marco van Basten, Ruud Gullit, and Frank Rijkaard arrived at the club in the late 1980s, Milan began a period of domestic and international triumphs. Between 1987 and 1996, the squad contained many Italian and international stars. Under Sacchi, Milan won the Serie A title in 1987, 88 with only 14 goals conceded. This success was immediately followed by back-to-back European Cups in 1988, 89 and 1989, 90. In the 1990 European Cup Final, Baresi turned in a dominant performance to help Milan defend the title against Benfica. He finished runner-up to teammate Van Basten for the Ballon d'Or in 1989.
At age 22, Baresi was named in Italy's squad for the 1982 FIFA World Cup. The Azzurri won their third World Cup, defeating West Germany in the final. However, Baresi did not play a single match throughout that tournament. He returned to the team for the 1988 European Championship playing as a sweeper. His first appearance in a World Cup finals match came in the 1990 tournament held on home soil. He played in every match as one of the starting centre-backs while Italy finished in third place. After replacing Giuseppe Bergomi as captain for the 1994 World Cup under Arrigo Sacchi, Baresi sustained an injury to his meniscus in Italy's second group match. He missed most of the tournament but returned 25 days later in time for the final. Despite key defensive absences, he helped keep a clean sheet against Brazil. Following a 0, 0 deadlock after extra time, the match went to a penalty shootout. Baresi subsequently missed his penalty due to severe cramps and fatigue. Italy were defeated by Brazil in the shoot-out.
Baresi primarily excelled as a centreback and as sweeper where he combined defensive attributes with excellent vision and technique. These qualities enabled him to excel in a zonal marking system and maintain a high defensive line. He was known for often raising his arm towards the linesman whenever his team attempted to play the offside trap. His passing range allowed him to advance forward into midfield to start attacking plays from the back. This functioned as a secondary playmaker role for his team. Despite being a defender, he was also an accurate penalty kick taker. He scored 31 goals for Milan, 21 of which were on penalties. He was the top scorer of the Coppa Italia during the 1989, 90 season. A precocious talent in his youth, he stood out for his professionalism and outstanding leadership throughout his career.
Baresi retired at the end of the 1996, 97 Serie A season at age 37. In his honour, Milan retired his number 6 shirt which he had worn throughout his career. The captain's armband was handed over to Paolo Maldini. Milan organised a celebration match in his honour played on the 28th of October 1997 at the San Siro. On the 1st of June 2002, Baresi was officially appointed as director of football at Fulham. Tensions between Baresi and then Fulham manager Jean Tigana led to resignation from the club in August. He was appointed head coach of Milan's Primavera Under-20 squad. In 2006, he was moved by the club to coach the Berretti Under-19 squad before retiring from coaching. In 1981, Baresi suffered from a blood infection that forced him out of play for nearly four months. While in treatment, he participated in medical research for the disease. In August 2025, Baresi had lung surgery with a pulmonary nodule removed from his body.
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Common questions
Where was Franco Baresi born and what was his early life like?
Franco Baresi grew up on a farmstead on the outskirts of Travagliato, a small town in northern Italy. He did not watch football on television until he was 10 years old.
When did Franco Baresi make his Serie A debut and how long was his career?
Franco Baresi made his Serie A debut at age 17 during the 1977, 78 season on the 23rd of April 1978. He spent his entire 20-year professional career with AC Milan before retiring at age 37.
Who were the teammates that formed the all-Italian defence with Franco Baresi?
During the end of the 1980s and the first half of the 1990s, Franco Baresi formed an all-Italian defence alongside Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Costacurta, Mauro Tassotti, and later Christian Panucci. Under managers Arrigo Sacchi and Fabio Capello, this unit is regarded by many as one of the greatest of all time.
What happened to Franco Baresi during the 1994 World Cup final against Brazil?
Franco Baresi sustained an injury to his meniscus in Italy's second group match but returned 25 days later in time for the final. He missed his penalty due to severe cramps and fatigue while Italy were defeated by Brazil in the shoot-out.
When was Franco Baresi appointed director of football at Fulham and when did he resign?
On the 1st of June 2002, Franco Baresi was officially appointed as director of football at Fulham. Tensions between Baresi and then Fulham manager Jean Tigana led to resignation from the club in August.