MILAN — Thousands of people gathered on the streets of Milan for Franco Baresi's funeral, which was held on Tuesday at the Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio. The service honored the former AC Milan defender who died at the age of 66.

The official record of the event states that Franco Baresi's funeral was held at the Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio on 4 August 2026, attended by thousands of fans and former teammates. AC Milan announced via X that the ceremony would take place at the historic basilica in the city center.

Former teammates Paolo Maldini, Marco van Basten, Clarence Seedorf, Roberto Baggio, Alessandro Costacurta, Christian Pulisic, Mauro Tassotti, Daniele Massaro, Dejan Savicevic, Dida, Claudio Ranieri, Santiago Giménez, and Pietro Paolo Virdis attended the funeral. Representatives from Real Madrid and Barcelona also traveled to Milan to pay their respects during the service.

Some supporters jeered at AC Milan President Paolo Scaroni during Franco Baresi's funeral. According to Unione Sarda, the official record of the event states that AC Milan President Scaroni was booed upon arrival at the funeral. Some supporters jeered at AC Milan owner Gerry Cardinale during Franco Baresi's funeral. Supporters expressed dissent against club leadership and local authorities during the memorial service.

According to ANSA English Desk, there is no record of an earlier incident of the same kind at the Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio involving Franco Baresi or AC Milan President Scaroni. The football community, including former teammates and rival clubs, gathered to honor Baresi's legacy despite the displays of discontent directed at officials.

Franco Baresi spent his entire 20-year professional career at AC Milan. He made 719 appearances for AC Milan over his 20-year career, the most in the club's history for a player who spent their entire career with the team. Franco Baresi made 719 appearances and scored 33 goals for AC Milan.

His final goal for AC Milan was scored on 27 August 1995 in a 2–1 win against Padova. Franco Baresi's final playing season was the 1996–97 campaign.

Franco Baresi captained AC Milan for 15 seasons. During his tenure, he won six Serie A titles with AC Milan. He won three Champions Leagues with AC Milan.

Franco Baresi won four Italian Super Cups with AC Milan. He won three UEFA Super Cups with AC Milan. Franco Baresi was part of the AC Milan squad that won two Club World Cups, in 1990 and 1994, under manager Arrigo Sacchi. Franco Baresi won two Intercontinental Cups with AC Milan.

AC Milan retired Franco Baresi's number 6 jersey in 1997, making him the first player in Italian soccer history to have his number retired by a club. AC Milan retired Franco Baresi's number six shirt when he finished his playing career. Franco Baresi was awarded the title of 'Player of the Century' by AC Milan in 1999, honoring his legacy with the club. Franco Baresi was made honorary president of AC Milan in 2020.

Franco Baresi was capped 81 times by Italy. He was part of the Italy squad that won the 1982 World Cup. Franco Baresi captained Italy in the 1994 World Cup final, which Italy lost to Brazil.

Franco Baresi was named one of the 125 Greatest Living Footballers by Pelé at the FIFA centenary awards ceremony in 2004. Franco Baresi was inducted into the Italian Football Hall of Fame in 2013, recognizing his contributions to Italian football.

Franco Baresi announced in August 2025 that pulmonary nodules had been found. The current AC Milan squad is in Australia on a pre-season tour. AC Milan will pay tribute to Franco Baresi ahead of their friendly match against Inter on Wednesday. Franco Baresi's funeral was televised on Rete 4 in Italy.

Franco Baresi's death at 66 marks the loss of a figure who defined an era for AC Milan and the Italian national team. His 719 appearances and status as the club's longest-serving one-team player established a benchmark for loyalty in modern football. The retirement of his number 6 shirt in 1997 and his induction into the Italian Football Hall of Fame in 2013 cemented his institutional legacy.

The jeering directed at AC Milan President Scaroni, owner Gerry Cardinale, and Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala introduces a layer of contemporary political tension to a memorial service. This dissent occurs against a backdrop where no previous incident of this nature has been recorded at the Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio involving these figures. The event shows the intersection of sporting reverence and ongoing fan grievances with club management.

Why It Matters

The gathering of thousands, including rivals and former teammates, shows Baresi's status as a unifying figure in football history following his 20-year tenure with AC Milan. His record 719 appearances and retired number six shirt established a benchmark for club loyalty that continues to define the sport's culture. However, jeers directed at club officials during the service indicate that deep-seated fan dissent persists even during moments of collective mourning.