07/31/2026
Before he was a legend, he was rejected.
As a boy, Franco Baresi tried out for Inter Milan — and got turned away. Inter signed his older brother Giuseppe instead. So Franco crossed the city and joined Milan’s youth team. Two brothers, two rivals, one derby — for years, the image of them swapping captain’s armbands before kickoff became the soul of the Milan derby. He nearly lost it all in 1981, sidelined for months by a serious blood infection that at one point put him in a wheelchair. He came back. Milan was relegated to Serie B twice in the early ’80s — and instead of leaving for a bigger club, a young Baresi stayed and helped drag them back up, all while quietly becoming a World Cup winner with Italy in ’82.
The moment people remember most: USA ’94. He tore his meniscus in the group stage, was told his tournament was over — and returned just 12 days later to captain Italy in the World Cup final against Brazil. He played the game of his life. Then, exhausted and cramping, he missed the decisive penalty in the shootout.
He never let go of Milan, and Milan never let go of him. Twenty years, one club, one shirt. Number 6 — retired forever.
Grazie di tutto, Franco. Riposa in pace. 🖤❤️
ItaliaFootball Legend
