FRANCO BARESI

TEAMS PLAYED FOR
 
AC Milan (Italy): 1977 – 1997

BIO

Franco Baresi was born on May 8, 1960 in Travagliato, province of Brescia, Italy.  Since his early childhood, Franco loved AC Milan and always wanted to play for the team.  He is one of the few players on the planet who has spent his entire career playing at one club.


CLUB CAREER

After a few trials at other teams including Inter Milan, Franco arrived at Milanello in 1974, at the age of 14. He actually had three trials at the team, and only after the third trial, he was admitted.  Franco was one of those players that didn’t look very impressive physically compared to what you would expect from a central defender. He usually operated as a sweeper behind the defensive line, and controlled the pace of the game from there. He read the game impressively well, which was the main reason to why he was so outstanding. 
Baresi played his first game for AC Milan in 1978 against Verona which the team won 2:1.  That season Bresi was not featured a lot in the line-up, however the next year he became team regular player. 
Baresi led the Milan team and its defense for the best part of a decade; a period during which Milan's defense was considered by many observers to be one of the best back fours in the history of football, consisting of Baresi, Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Constacurta and Mauro Tassotti.

NATIONAL TEAM CAREER

It took some time for him to break into the national team because Enzo Bearzot, the coach at the time, preferred the Juventus trio Cabrini, Gentile and Scirea in defence. The latter occupied the sweeper’s position in the World Cup winning team of 1982. Baresi was included in that squad, but never played a minute in Spain which he didn’t like. He then rejected to play for Italy as long as Bearzot was in charge which made him miss the 1986 World Cup. Bearzot then retired and Baresi once again said yes to the Azzurri. Italy reached the semifinals at Euro 88, Franco’s first tournament with Italy, and another semifinal in their own World Cup in 1990. Italy lost to Argentina on penalties, but beat England in the bronze match.

Baresi was captain when Italy traveled to America for the World Cup in 1994. At 34, he knew this was his last chance to win the World Cup, but an injury in the first round against Norway made him miss several matches and he wasn’t ready until the final against Brazil, where he played the game of his life. Brazil eventually won on penalties and Franco missed one of the penalties for Italy. It was his 81st and final match for Italy.

PERSONAL INFO

Because Baresi’s achievements, AC Milan played a tribute to the player by retiring his jersey number 6.  No player in the future will ever wear that jersey at Milan.  Played in 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. 

       

TITLES AND AWARDS

AC Milan

Serie A: 1979, 1988, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996

Italian Supercup: 1988, 1992, 1993, 1994

Mitropa Cup: 1982

UEFA Champions League: 1989, 1990, 1994

Intercontinental Cup: 1989, 1990

European Super Cup: 1989, 1990, 1994

International

FIFA World Cup: 1982

FIFA 100