Thousands farewell Franco Baresi in Milan
The funeral took place at the Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio in Milan on August 4, following Baresi's death on July 31 at age 66.
Thousands of AC Milan supporters gathered in the Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio in Milan on the morning of August 4, 2026, to say goodbye to club legend Franco Baresi. Baresi, who had been one of the defining figures of Milan's defence for decades, died on July 31 at the age of 66.
Funeral led by club delegation and former teammates
The Milan delegation at the funeral was led by owner Gerry Cardinale and president Paolo Scaroni, joined by other directors and current players including Christian Pulisic and Santiago Giménez. The presence of club officials and players underscored Baresi's lasting significance for the Rossoneri.
The coffin was carried by Baresi's former teammates from the Rossoneri: Daniele Massaro, Roberto Donadoni, Filippo Galli, Giovanni Galli, Angelo Colombo and Marco van Basten. Their role as pallbearers highlighted the strong bonds forged on the pitch over many seasons.
Also attending were numerous Milan icons and figures from the club's recent history, among them Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Costacurta, Fabio Capello, Dejan Savićević, Demetrio Albertini, Sebastiano Rossi, Gianluca Zambrotta, Alberico Evani, Marco Simone, Nevio Scala, Pietro Paolo Virdis, Massimo Ambrosini and Roberto Baggio. Their presence turned the basilica into a gathering of generations who had shaped Milan's identity.
The ceremony this morning combined public mourning with moments of private remembrance as fans, former teammates and club officials paid tribute to a player whose career and character left an indelible mark on Italian and European football.
Photo: Unknown authorUnknown author / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
