Franco Baresi: What we know about the health battles faced by the AC Milan legend as he dies aged 66

FRANCO BARESI, revered as one of football’s greatest-ever defenders, has passed away at the age of 66. The AC Milan and Italy legend leaves behind a towering legacy, having won a World Cup, six Serie A titles, and three Champions Leagues during a glittering, historic career. AC Milan described Baresi as someone who ’embodied the heart and soul’ of the club Credit: Reuters The legendary defender had been in poor health recently Credit: Reuters His boyhood club confirmed the heartbreaking news in an emotional tribute, describing the iconic centre-back as someone who “embodied the heart and soul of AC Milan.” As the footballing world mourns the loss of a true giant of the game, fans are looking for answers regarding the sudden passing of a beloved sporting icon. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! Here’s what we know about the circumstances surrounding his death, and the health battles he faced in his later years. What was Baresi’s cause of death? At the time of writing, an official cause of death has not been publicly confirmed by AC Milan or Baresi’s family. The announcement of his death focused on his contribution to the sport and the grief felt by the club and its supporters, rather than medical specifics. But it is known that the legendary defender had been in poor health recently. Just two days before the confirmation of his death, reports began circulating online claiming he had passed away. AC Milan was forced to issue a statement denying the rumours, noting at the time that Baresi was “going through a difficult and delicate time”, and that the club was standing firmly alongside him and his family. Most read in Football Sadly, he succumbed to his health issues shortly after. What health issues had he been dealing with? While Baresi largely kept his private life out of the spotlight after hanging up his boots, it was made public last year that he had undergone lung surgery. The medical intervention was required after the former Italy captain was diagnosed with a “pulmonary nodulation“, a condition involving small masses of tissue in the lung that often require close monitoring or surgical removal. Despite these health hurdles, Baresi remained a visible and passionate figurehead for his city. His final public appearance came just a few months ago in front of a packed San Siro for the Milan Winter Olympics opening ceremony. Battling through physical adversity was nothing new for Baresi. During his playing days, he famously displayed superhuman resilience at the 1994 World Cup. After tearing his meniscus in the group stages against Norway, he underwent knee surgery, only to recover against all odds just 22 days later. He started the final, keeping Brazilian greats Romario and Bebeto at bay for 120 minutes, though Italy ultimately lost on penalties. When might we know more? Further details regarding his official cause of death will likely only be released if and when his family chooses to share them. In their recent statements, AC Milan has repeatedly urged people to “respect their privacy and refrain from spreading entirely unfounded information.” It’s possible that more information may be disclosed in the coming days as funeral and memorial arrangements are finalised. But until then, the focus remains firmly on celebrating his life. Tributes have already poured in from across the globe, including from Milan’s fierce rivals Inter. Inter President Giuseppe Marotta extended his solidarity to the Baresi family, praising him as a “flag bearer” who defined the history of the Milan rivalry. Comment now