Milan bids farewell to Franco Baresi: 'Immortal legend, a flag that will never stop waving'

More than a thousand supporters assembled outside Milan's Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio hours before the 11 a.m. funeral of Franco Baresi, the former AC Milan and Italy defender whose number 6 shirt was retired by the club after his playing career. A large Rossoneri flag bearing 'Baresi 6' was hoisted in the square, while the Curva Sud ultras hung a banner from a building facing the basilica.

Immortal legend, an inimitable flag that will never stop waving. Ciao Capitano.

Former teammates and club figures pay respects

Applause and chants of 'there is only one captain' greeted Paolo Maldini, who arrived with his wife Adriana Fossa, and Marco Van Basten. Other former Milan players present included Mauro Tassotti, Alberico Evani, Filippo Galli, Nevio Scala, Angelo Colombo, Marco Simone, Riccardo Montolivo, Roberto Donadoni, Daniele Massaro, Giovanni Galli, Aldo Serena and Pietro Paolo Virdis. The club was officially represented by CEO Massimo Calvelli.

Inter president Giuseppe Marotta, attending the service, called Baresi an icon of football who embodied a value now lost in the modern game.

Franco represented an icon of football and carried with him a great value that has been lost today: the sense of belonging. These are examples that must make us reflect, but above all they must be used by today's footballers because he represents an example of a man and a professional.

Giovanni Galli, the former Milan goalkeeper, recalled the 1994 Champions League final won in Barcelona, describing how he lifted Baresi up when the trophy was presented.

I remember the Champions League final won in Barcelona. There was no ceremony with fireworks. The UEFA president gave the Cup and that was it. When he took it, I lifted him up and I have a photo of that moment. He was happy because after so much suffering with Milan he had brought it back where it deserved to be. He was proud to have given the 95,000 fans who had gone to Barcelona a great joy.

Amorim addresses squad absence from Perth

Milan coach Ruben Amorim, speaking from the team's pre-season tour in Australia ahead of a derby against Inter, addressed the controversy over the squad's absence from the funeral. He offered condolences to the family and former teammates, then said he believed Baresi would have wanted the team to continue their work.

I don't know what will happen in the future in terms of results. I can't control it or promise anything. But we will carry forward Franco Baresi's legacy. Today we are not at his funeral because we are here, but we too feel the sadness. Our whole club is there and the Milan people are there. And if today you could ask Franco whether we should have interrupted our preparation to go to his funeral, I think I can guarantee that he would have preferred that we continued doing our job, defending the club.

Amorim described the emotion within the club's staff, noting that no one calls him 'Baresi' but simply 'Franco', and that staff members had tears in their eyes when speaking of him. He observed that among those who knew him, nobody talks about the Champions League titles and Scudetti he won. Everyone says the same thing: 'When we went to Serie B, he did not leave us.' Amorim said this is the legacy that matters: character over achievement.

Salvini's tribute and stadium proposal

On 3 August, deputy prime minister Matteo Salvini visited Casa Milan, leaving a scarf bearing Baresi's number 6. He said he grew up with Baresi and still keeps a dedicated photo of him in his childhood bedroom. Salvini also proposed naming the Curva Sud in both the old and new San Siro stadium after the former captain. A FIFA wreath from president Gianni Infantino was placed on the parvis.