AC Milan denies false reports of Franco Baresi's death, says he is facing 'delicate moment'
The club issued a statement after unverified reports of the 66-year-old legend's death spread online Wednesday evening, with vice-premier Matteo Salvini among those who posted a premature tribute.
On the evening of Wednesday, 29 July 2026, unverified reports that Franco Baresi had died began to circulate in Italian newsrooms and on social media. The 66-year-old former defender is a symbol of AC Milan, having spent his entire 20-year playing career at the club and later serving as a coach and ambassador. According to il Giornale, the voice of Baresi's death reached all newsrooms, triggering the usual verification procedures before any publication. However, before confirmations could be obtained, the news had already spread widely online, with some outlets erroneously reporting the death of the historic captain. The Portuguese news outlet SAPO described the episode as a false alarm that generated a scare in Italian football.
- Unverified reports of Franco Baresi's death begin circulating in Italian media and on social networks.
- Vice-premier Matteo Salvini posts a tribute on X, later deleted.
- AC Milan issues an official statement denying the rumors and asking for privacy.
AC Milan moved quickly to quash the speculation. The club's denial came shortly after the rumors began, according to il Giornale. In a statement posted on its official social media channels and distributed to news agencies, the club categorically denied the reports, calling them "false notizie" (false news).
AC Milan denies the false news circulating in recent minutes regarding Franco Baresi. Franco is going through a delicate moment and the Club is close to him with affection, as well as to his family. We invite everyone to respect his privacy and not to contribute to the spread of completely unfounded information.
The club did not elaborate on the nature of Baresi's delicate moment, but the wording suggested a serious health situation. The denial was described by Italian media as a sharp rebuttal that halted the spread of the false news. The statement was a direct appeal to fans and media to refrain from spreading unverified information.
The false alarm ensnared a prominent political figure. Matteo Salvini, Italy's vice-premier and minister of infrastructure and transport, published a message on X that appeared to mourn Baresi's passing.
Fly with your curva, Captain, you have been and will forever be our flag.
Salvini deleted the post shortly after AC Milan's denial became public, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport. The incident showed how quickly unverified information can reach the highest levels of public life.
Franco Baresi's health has been a subject of concern since August 2025, when he underwent a minimally invasive surgical procedure to remove a pulmonary nodule. He subsequently went through a period of convalescence and continued medical care. Baresi spent two decades at Milan, becoming captain and winning numerous domestic and international trophies. His number 6 shirt was retired by the club in 1997 as a tribute to his career. The club's statement on Wednesday evening did not provide an update on his current condition beyond describing it as a delicate moment.
