Franco Baresi united the Italian football world during his funeral ceremony at the basilica of Sant’Ambrogio, where figures from historic rivals Inter and Juventus gathered alongside Milan legends to honor the former defender, according to reporting by Francesco Sessa. Outside the church, an elderly fan wearing an Inter jersey walked with a walker, embodying a widespread cross-club respect that defined the day. According to Beppe Marotta, Baresi was “a universal player, respected by teammates and opponents, who carried within himself a value that has been lost: the sense of belonging.”
Rival Clubs Pay Tribute to a Milan Legend
Inter was represented by Beppe Marotta alongside sporting director Piero Ausilio and former player Beppe Bergomi, while Juventus sent Gianluca Pessotto and Frederic Massara, as reported by Francesco Sessa. Meanwhile, Paolo Maldini reflected on the gathering by stating, “I and Claudio have met and greeted each other.” Maldini avoided commenting on the national team, choosing instead to focus on the emotional weight of the day as old memories returned.
Former Milan teammate Marco Van Basten left the service to an ovation, while other club icons such as Mauro Tassotti, Alessandro Costacurta, Roberto Donadoni, Alberigo Evani, Daniele Massaro, Filippo Galli, and Demetrio Albertini attended. Albertini shared a specific memory, noting, “I remember the embrace after the goal in the semifinal against Monaco: a huge emotion.” Aldo noted that Baresi was already a mature person at the age of 22.
Notable Absences and Personal Explanations
According to Francesco Sessa, Milan captain Mike Maignan remained abroad due to his holiday schedule, while injured first-team players Christian Pulisic and Santiago Gimenez stayed in Italy to continue their recoveries. Zlatan Ibrahimovic was absent due to a personal approach to grief, rooted in his decision to maintain privacy following the death of his brother Sapko in 2014 from leukemia at age 41. Adriano Galliani and representatives of the Berlusconi family also did not attend.
Tributes From Former Coaches and Teammates
Among the most visibly moved attendees was former coach Fabio Capello. Former goalkeeper Dida paid tribute by stating, “From him we learned a lot. He deserves all the affection, in the football world no one has been like him. Today is a sad day, I hope he feels all these emotions.” Dejan Savicevic displayed an autographed Baresi captain’s armband alongside Massaro. Members of the 1994 Italy squad from Pasadena, including goalkeeper Luca Pagliuca and Roberto Baggio—who missed a penalty in the World Cup final alongside Baresi and Massaro—attended the service with his wife Andreina, though coach Arrigo Sacchi was absent.
Government and club leadership also offered statements. Minister for Sport and Youth Andrea Abodi stated that Baresi “always tried to combine class and style with the simplicity of his behaviors.” Milan owner Gerry Cardinale called him “a great player” who will be missed, while former sporting director Igli Tare described knowing Baresi personally as an honor, adding that his loss is partial because he remains in the hearts of fans worldwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Who attended the funeral for Franco Baresi?
Figures from across Italian football attended, including representatives from Inter and Juventus, alongside former Milan teammates like Paolo Maldini, Marco Van Basten, and Mauro Tassotti, according to Francesco Sessa.
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Why did Zlatan Ibrahimovic miss the ceremony?
Ibrahimovic was absent due to a possible personal reason, as reported by Francesco Sessa.
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What did opposing clubs say about Baresi?
Inter CEO Beppe Marotta praised Baresi as a universal player who embodied a lost sense of belonging, while Juventus representatives Gianluca Pessotto and Frederic Massara also attended the service at Sant’Ambrogio.
Pro Tip: When analyzing historic football rivalries in Italy, observe how shared grief and mutual respect on the pitch frequently transcend club colors during major national farewells.
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