View source for Franco Baresi

{{Short description|Italian footballer (born 1960)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Franco Baresi<br />{{post-nominals|list=[[OMRI]]}}
| image = Franco Baresi 2012.jpg
| caption = Baresi in 2012
| fullname = Franchino Baresi<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.quirinale.it/onorificenze/insigniti/208909 |title=Baresi Sig. Franchino |trans-title=Baresi Mr. Franchino |website=Quirinale |publisher=Presidenza della Repubblica Italiana |access-date=11 December 2020 |language=it |archive-date=11 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201211234907/https://www.quirinale.it/onorificenze/insigniti/208909 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1960|5|8|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Travagliato]], Italy
| height = 1.76 m
| position = [[Centre-back]]
| currentclub = 
| youthyears1 = 1972–1977
| youthclubs1 = [[AC Milan Youth Sector|AC Milan]]
| years1 = 1977–1997
| clubs1 = [[AC Milan]]
| caps1 = 532
| goals1 = 16
| nationalyears1 = 1982–1994
| nationalteam1 = [[Italy national football team|Italy]]
| nationalcaps1 = 81
| nationalgoals1 = 1
| manageryears1 = 2002–2006
| managerclubs1 = [[AC Milan Primavera]]
| manageryears2 = 2006–2008
| managerclubs2 = Milan Primavera (Berretti)
| medaltemplates = {{MedalSport|Men's [[Association football|football]]}}
{{Medal|Country|{{fb|Italy}}}}
{{Medal|Comp|[[FIFA World Cup]]}}
{{Medal|W|[[1982 FIFA World Cup|1982 Spain]]|}}
{{Medal|RU|[[1994 FIFA World Cup|1994 United States]]|}}
{{Medal|3rd|[[1990 FIFA World Cup|1990 Italy]]|}}
}}
'''Franchino Baresi''' ({{IPA|it|ˈfraŋko baˈreːzi; -eːsi}};<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 December 2013 |title=Baresi: "Mondiale? L'Italia deve avere fiducia" - 3 Dicembre 2013 |trans-title=Baresi: "World Cup? Italy must have confidence" - December 3, 2013 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdQswDWfd7I |access-date=7 April 2026 |via=[[YouTube]] |publisher=[[Italian Football Federation]] |language=it}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=9 May 2020 |title=Franco Baresi compie 60 anni: la sua partita della vita contro il Brasile a Usa 94 |trans-title=Franco Baresi turns 60: his match of a lifetime against Brazil at USA 94 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRi7TIXd76w |access-date=7 April 2026 |via=[[YouTube]] |work=[[la Repubblica]] |language=it}}</ref> born 8 May 1960) is an Italian [[Association football|football]] youth team coach and a former player and manager. He mainly played as a [[sweeper (association football)|sweeper]] or as a [[central defender]], and [[List of one-club men in association football|spent his entire 20-year career]] with [[Serie A]] club [[AC Milan]], captaining the club for 15 seasons. Widely regarded as one of the greatest defenders of all time, he was ranked 19th in ''[[World Soccer (magazine)|World Soccer]]'' magazine's list of the 100 greatest players of the 20th century.<ref>{{cite web|title=World Soccer 100 Players of the Century|url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/TeamHons/HonsWldSocPlyrsCent.html|access-date=25 July 2014|archive-date=4 April 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210404034430/http://www.englandfootballonline.com/TeamHons/HonsWldSocPlyrsCent.html|url-status=live}}</ref> With Milan, he won three [[UEFA Champions League|European Cup/UEFA Champions League]] titles, six [[Serie A]] trophies, four [[Supercoppa Italiana]] titles, two [[UEFA Super Cup|European Super Cup]]s and two [[Intercontinental Cup (1960–2004)|Intercontinental Cup]]s, as well as a [[FIFA World Cup|World Cup]] with [[Italy national football team|Italy]].

With the Italy national team, he was a member of the squad that won the [[1982 FIFA World Cup]], the first in 44 years. He also played in the [[1990 FIFA World Cup|1990 World Cup]] held on home soil, where he was named in the [[FIFA World Cup All-Star Team]], while leading them to a third place in the tournament. At the [[1994 FIFA World Cup|1994 World Cup]], he was named Italy's captain and was part of the squad that reached the [[1994 FIFA World Cup final|final]], although he would miss a penalty in the resulting shoot-out as [[Brazil national football team|Brazil]] lifted the trophy. Baresi also represented Italy at two [[UEFA European Championship]]s, in [[UEFA Euro 1980|1980]] and [[UEFA Euro 1988|1988]], and at the [[Football at the 1984 Summer Olympics|1984 Olympics]], reaching the semi-finals on each occasion.

The younger brother of former footballer [[Giuseppe Baresi]], after joining the Milan senior team as a youngster, Franco Baresi was initially nicknamed "'''Piscinin'''", [[Milanese]] for "little one". Due to his skill and success, he was later known as "'''Kaiser Franz'''", a reference to fellow sweeper [[Franz Beckenbauer]].<ref name="Storie di Calcio: Franco Baresi">{{cite web|url=http://www.storiedicalcio.altervista.org/franco-baresi.html|title=Storie di Calcio: FRANCO BARESI – Calcio, tackle e fantasia|work=Storie di Calcio|language=it|access-date=9 April 2015|archive-date=15 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141215120618/http://www.storiedicalcio.altervista.org/franco-baresi.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1999, he was voted Milan's Player of the Century. After his final season at Milan in 1997, the club retired Baresi's shirt number 6.<ref name="Franchino (detto Franco) BARESI (II)">{{cite web|url=http://www.magliarossonera.it/protagonisti/Gioc-Baresi.html|title=Franchino (detto Franco) BARESI (II)|website=magliarossonera.it|publisher=Maglia Rossonera|language=it|access-date=9 April 2015|archive-date=12 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512161807/http://www.magliarossonera.it/protagonisti/Gioc-Baresi.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He was named by [[Pelé]] one of the [[FIFA 100|125 Greatest Living Footballers]] at the [[FIFA]] centenary awards ceremony in 2004.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/3533891.stm |title=Pele's list of the greatest |work=BBC Sport |date=4 March 2004 |access-date=22 November 2013 |archive-date=19 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100819114039/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/3533891.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Baresi was inducted into the [[Italian Football Hall of Fame]] in 2013.

==Early life==
Baresi grew up in a farmstead on the outskirts of a small north Italian town, Travagliato. He did not watch football on television until he was 10.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/nov/07/san-siro-maestro-franco-baresi-still-dreams-of-glory-for-contenders-milan | title=Franco Baresi: 'Milan are playing beautiful football. We need to be ambitious' &#124; Milan &#124; the Guardian | work=The Observer | date=7 November 2021 | access-date=24 November 2022 | archive-date=24 November 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221124210303/https://amp.theguardian.com/football/2021/nov/07/san-siro-maestro-franco-baresi-still-dreams-of-glory-for-contenders-milan | url-status=live | last1=Bandini | first1=Nicky }}</ref>

==Club career==
Originally an [[AC Milan]] youth product, Baresi went on to spend his entire 20-year professional career with AC Milan, making his [[Serie A]] debut at age 17 during the [[1977–78 Serie A|1977–78 season]] on 23 April 1978.<ref name="A.C. Milan Hall of Fame: Franco Baresi">{{cite web|url=https://www.acmilan.com/en/franco-baresi|title=A.C. Milan Hall of Fame: Franco Baresi|website=acmilan.com|publisher=A.C. Milan|access-date=31 March 2015|archive-date=30 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160930102243/http://www.acmilan.com/en/franco-baresi|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="cinquantamila">{{cite web|url=http://www.cinquantamila.it/storyTellerThread.php?threadId=BARESI%20Franco|title=Biografia di Franco Baresi|work=Il Corriere della Sera|language=it|author1=Giorgio Dell'Arti|date=2 October 2013|access-date=12 May 2017|archive-date=14 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171014133003/http://www.cinquantamila.it/storyTellerThread.php?threadId=BARESI%20Franco|url-status=live}}</ref> He had initially been rejected by the [[Inter Milan]] youth team, who chose his brother Giuseppe instead, hence the Milan youth team signed Franco Baresi. The two brothers ended up captaining their respective teams shortly after, with their image while exchanging pennants became the trademark of Milan's ''derby della Madonnina'' throughout the 80s.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://it.blastingnews.com/calcio/2018/10/inter-milan-quando-era-un-affare-di-famiglia-tutti-i-derby-dei-fratelli-baresi-002746305.html|title=FC Inter-AC Milan when it used to be a family affair|website=it.blastingnews.com|language=it|author=Michele Caltagirone|date=15 October 2018|access-date=10 May 2020|archive-date=31 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731200856/https://it.blastingnews.com/calcio/2018/10/inter-milan-quando-era-un-affare-di-famiglia-tutti-i-derby-dei-fratelli-baresi-002746305.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The following season, he was made a member of the starting 11, playing as a [[Sweeper (association football)|sweeper]] or as a centreback, winning the 1978–79 Serie A title, Milan's tenth overall, playing alongside [[Fabio Capello]] and [[Gianni Rivera]].<ref name="A.C. Milan Hall of Fame: Franco Baresi"/>
[[File:Franco baresi panini card 1979.jpg|thumb|Baresi with AC Milan in 1979]]

This success was soon followed by a dark period in the club's history, when Milan was relegated to [[Serie B]] twice during the early 1980s. Milan were relegated in [[1979–80 Serie A|1980]] for being involved in the [[Totonero 1980|match fixing scandal of 1980]], and once again after finishing third-last in the [[1981–82 Serie A|1981–82 season]], after having just returned to Serie A the previous season, after winning the 1980–81 Serie B title. Despite being a member of the Euro 1980 Italy squad that had finished fourth, and the 1982 World Cup-winning team, Baresi elected to stay with Milan, winning the Serie B title for the second time during the 1982–83 season and bringing Milan back to Serie A. After [[Aldo Maldera]] and [[Fulvio Collovati]] left the club in 1982, Baresi was appointed Milan's captain, at age 22, and would hold this position for much of his time at the club, becoming a symbol and a leader for the team. During this bleak period for Milan, Baresi did manage to win a Mitropa Cup in 1982 and reached the [[Coppa Italia]] final during 1984–85 season, although the team failed to dominate in Serie A.<ref name="Storie di Calcio: Franco Baresi"/><ref name="Franchino (detto Franco) BARESI (II)"/>
During the end of the 1980s and the first half of the 1990s, Baresi was at the heart of a notable all-Italian defence alongside [[Paolo Maldini]], [[Alessandro Costacurta]], [[Mauro Tassotti]] and later [[Christian Panucci]], under managers [[Arrigo Sacchi]] and Fabio Capello, a defence which is regarded by many as one of the greatest of all time.{{efn|See<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espnfc.com/club/juventus/111/blog/post/2834534/gianluigi-buffon-record-cements-his-legacy-greatest-keeper|title=Gianluigi Buffon record cements his legacy as greatest keeper of all-time|publisher=ESPN FC|author1=James Horncastle|access-date=21 March 2016|date=21 March 2016|archive-date=23 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190723040450/http://www.espnfc.com/club/juventus/111/blog/post/2834534/gianluigi-buffon-record-cements-his-legacy-greatest-keeper|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2016/mar/21/gianluigi-buffon-clean-sheet-record-juventus-torino-sebastiano-rossi|title=Gianluigi Buffon humble as clean sheet record tumbles, but delight not universal|work=The Guardian|first=Nicky|last=Bandini|date=21 March 2016|access-date=21 March 2016|archive-date=26 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190726183438/https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2016/mar/21/gianluigi-buffon-clean-sheet-record-juventus-torino-sebastiano-rossi|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2009/may/08/joy-of-six-great-defences|title=The Joy of Six: Great defences|work=The Guardian|author1=Rob Smyth|date=8 May 2009|access-date=9 March 2016|archive-date=16 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216083337/https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2009/may/08/joy-of-six-great-defences|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.repubblica.it/sport/calcio/nazionale/2013/11/19/news/rivoluzione_filosofica_prandelli-71352856/?refresh_ce|title=Nazionale: 2013, addio al catenaccio. Balotelli-Rossi coppia mondiale|work=La Repubblica|language=it|date=19 November 2013|access-date=9 March 2016|archive-date=8 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008115617/https://www.repubblica.it/sport/calcio/nazionale/2013/11/19/news/rivoluzione_filosofica_prandelli-71352856/?refresh_ce|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Foot|first1=John|title=Winning at All Costs: A Scandalous History of Italian Soccer|date=2006|publisher=Nation Books|location=New York|page=228}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://it.eurosport.com/calcio/la-storia-della-tattica-da-sacchi-a-guardiola_sto4735853/story.shtml|title=La storia della tattica: da Sacchi a Guardiola|publisher=Eurosport|language=it|author1=Mattia Fontana|date=19 August 2014|access-date=10 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.storiedicalcio.altervista.org/milan_sacchi_capello.html|title=MILAN 1988–1994: 6 ANNI DA CAMPIONI|work=Storie di Calcio|language=it|author1=Corrado Sannucci|date=28 November 2015|access-date=10 March 2016|archive-date=6 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161006053937/http://www.storiedicalcio.altervista.org/milan_sacchi_capello.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.calciomercato.it/news/162238/VIDEO---Speciale-squadre-nella-leggenda-Milan-93-94-vs-Inter-09-10.html|title=Speciale squadre nella leggenda, Milan '93–'94 vs Inter '09–'10|publisher=Calciomercato.it|language=it|author1=Jonathan Terreni|date=19 June 2012|access-date=10 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310140544/http://www.calciomercato.it/news/162238/VIDEO---Speciale-squadre-nella-leggenda-Milan-93-94-vs-Inter-09-10.html|archive-date=10 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>}} When the attacking Dutch trio of [[Marco van Basten]], [[Ruud Gullit]] and [[Frank Rijkaard]] arrived at the club in the late 1980s, Milan began a period of domestic and international triumphs, and between 1987 and 1996, at the height of the club's success, the Milan squad contained many Italian and international stars, such as [[Roberto Donadoni]], [[Carlo Ancelotti]], Marco van Basten, Ruud Gullit, Frank Rijkaard and later [[Demetrio Albertini]], [[Dejan Savićević]], [[Zvonimir Boban]], [[Marcel Desailly]], [[George Weah]], [[Jean-Pierre Papin]], [[Brian Laudrup]] and [[Roberto Baggio]]. Under Sacchi, Milan won the Serie A title in [[1987–88 Serie A|1987–88]], with Baresi helping Milan to concede only 14 goals. This title was immediately followed by a [[Supercoppa Italiana]] in [[1988 Supercoppa Italiana|1988]] the next season, and back-to-back [[UEFA Champions League|European Cups]] in [[1988–89 European Cup|1988–89]] and [[1989–90 European Cup|1989–90]];<ref name="A.C. Milan Hall of Fame: Franco Baresi"/> In the [[1990 European Cup Final]], Baresi turned in a dominant performance as the team's captain, helping Milan to defend the European Cup title and keep a clean sheet in a 1–0 victory over [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/milan-88-inside-story-sacchis-all-conquering-kings-told-them |title=Milan '88: The inside story of Sacchi's all-conquering kings, as told by them |publisher=FourFourTwo |last1=Barker |first1=Matt |date=28 October 2016 |access-date=3 November 2019 |archive-date=3 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191103213654/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/milan-88-inside-story-sacchis-all-conquering-kings-told-them |url-status=live }}</ref> Baresi was also runner-up to teammate Van Basten for the [[Ballon d'Or]] in 1989, finishing ahead of his other teammate Frank Rijkaard, and was named [[Guerin d'Oro|Serie A Footballer of the Year]] in 1989–90. Milan also reached the Coppa Italia final during the 1989–90 season.<ref name="Storie di Calcio: Franco Baresi"/><ref name="Franchino (detto Franco) BARESI (II)"/>

Baresi went on to win four more Serie A titles with Milan under Fabio Capello, including three consecutive titles in [[1991–92 Serie A|1991–92]], [[1992–93 Serie A|1992–93]] and the [[1993–94 Serie A|1993–94]] seasons. Baresi helped Milan win the 1991–92 title undefeated, helping Milan to go unbeaten for an Italian record of 58 matches. Milan also scored a record 74 goals that season. During the 1993–94 season, Baresi helped Milan concede a mere 15 goals in Serie A, helping the club to finish the season with the best defence. Baresi also won three consecutive Supercoppa Italiana under Capello, in [[1992 Supercoppa Italiana|1992]], [[1993 Supercoppa Italiana|1993]] and [[1994 Supercoppa Italiana|1994]]. Milan also reached three consecutive UEFA Champions League finals during the [[1992–93 UEFA Champions League|1992–93]], [[1993–94 UEFA Champions League|1993–94]] and [[1994–95 UEFA Champions League|1994–95]] seasons, losing to [[Olympique Marseille|Marseille]] in 1992–93 and [[AFC Ajax|Ajax]] in 1994–95. Baresi won the third European Cup/UEFA Champions League of his career in 1993–94 when Milan defeated [[Johan Cruyff]]'s [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]] "Dream Team" 4–0 in [[1994 UEFA Champions League Final|the final]]. Baresi also managed to win the [[1994 European Super Cup]], although Milan were defeated in the 1994 Intercontinental Cup, the [[1993 European Super Cup]] and the 1993 Intercontinental Cup. Under Capello, Milan and Baresi were able to capture another Serie A title during [[1995–96 Serie A|1995–96 season]], Baresi's sixth.<ref name="Storie di Calcio: Franco Baresi"/><ref name="Franchino (detto Franco) BARESI (II)"/>

Baresi retired at the end of the [[1996–97 Serie A|1996–97 Serie A season]], at age 37. In his 20 seasons with Milan, he won six Serie A titles, three European Cup/UEFA Champions League titles (reaching five finals in total), two Intercontinental Cups (four finals in total), three European Supercups (four finals in total), four Supercoppa Italiana (five finals in total), two Serie B titles and a Mitropa Cup.<ref name="A.C. Milan Hall of Fame: Franco Baresi"/> He scored 31 goals for Milan, 21 of which were on penalties, and, despite being a defender, he was the top scorer of the Coppa Italia during the 1989–90 season, the only trophy which he failed to win with Milan, reaching the final twice during his career. His final goal for Milan was scored in a 2–1 win against [[Padova Calcio|Padova]] on 27 August 1995. In his honour, Milan retired his number 6 shirt, which he had worn throughout his career.<ref name="A.C. Milan Hall of Fame: Franco Baresi"/> The captain's armband, which he had worn for 15 seasons, was handed over to Paolo Maldini. Milan organised a celebration match in his honour, which was played on 28 October 1997 at the [[San Siro]], featuring many footballing stars.<ref name="Storie di Calcio: Franco Baresi"/><ref name="Franchino (detto Franco) BARESI (II)"/>

==International career==
At age 20, while still playing in the [[Italy national under-21 football team|Italy under-21 side]], Baresi was named in [[Italy national football team|Italy]]'s 22-man squad for the [[UEFA Euro 1980|1980 European Championship]] (along with his older brother Giuseppe) by manager [[Enzo Bearzot]]. The tournament was held on home soil and Italy finished fourth. However, unlike his brother, Franco Baresi did not play a single match in the tournament. Euro 1980 would be the only time the two brothers were on the Italy squad together at a major tournament. At age 22, Baresi was named in Italy's squad for the [[1982 FIFA World Cup]].<ref name=imperial>{{cite news|url=https://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/players/player=174375/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140110162108/http://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/players/player=174375/|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 January 2014|title=Milan and Italy's imperial sweeper|access-date=17 March 2014|work=FIFA}}</ref> The ''Azzurri'' won their third [[FIFA World Cup|World Cup]], defeating [[Germany national football team|West Germany]] in [[1982 FIFA World Cup Final|the final]], but Baresi, once again, was not selected to play a match throughout the tournament.<ref name=baresi>{{cite news|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/statisticsandrecords/players/player=174375/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140317105752/http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/statisticsandrecords/players/player=174375/|url-status=dead|archive-date=17 March 2014|title=Franco BARESI|access-date=17 March 2014|work=FIFA}}</ref> Baresi was also a member of the Italy squad that took part in the 1984 Olympics. Italy finished in fourth place after a semi-final defeat to [[Brazil national under-23 football team|Brazil]], and losing the bronze medal match to [[Yugoslavia national football team|Yugoslavia]]. Baresi scored a goal against the [[United States men's national soccer team|United States]] during the group stage.

Baresi won his first senior international [[Cap (association football)|cap]] in a [[UEFA Euro 1984|1984 UEFA Championship]] [[UEFA Euro 1984 qualifying|qualifying]] match against [[Romania national football team|Romania]] in [[Florence]], on 14 December 1982, a 0–0 draw.<ref name=imperial/> Italy, however, ultimately failed to qualify for the final tournament.<ref name="Storie di Calcio: Franco Baresi"/><ref name="Nazionale in cifre: Convocazioni e presenze in campo – Franco Baresi">{{cite web|url=http://www.figc.it/nazionali/DettaglioConvocato?codiceConvocato=19&squadra=1|title=Nazionale in cifre: Convocazioni e presenze in campo – Franco Baresi|website=figc.it|publisher=FIGC|language=it|access-date=10 April 2015|archive-date=10 April 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410014649/http://www.figc.it/nazionali/DettaglioConvocato?codiceConvocato=19&squadra=1|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Baresi was not included in Italy's squad for the [[1986 FIFA World Cup|1986 World Cup]] by coach Enzo Bearzot, who saw him as being more of a midfielder than a defender (although his brother Giuseppe was selected as a defender for the World Cup, as well as [[Roberto Tricella]]).<ref name=imperial/> He returned to the team for the [[UEFA Euro 1988|1988 European Championship]], playing as a sweeper, where Italy reached the semi-finals under [[Azeglio Vicini]], becoming an undisputed first team member and playing in every match. He made his first appearance in a World Cup finals match in the 1990 tournament, which was held on home soil, and he played in every match as one of the starting centre-backs, as Italy finished in third-place, after being eliminated by defending champions [[Argentina national football team|Argentina]] in a penalty shootout in the semi-finals.<ref name=baresi/> Baresi helped the Italian defence to keep five consecutive clean sheets, only conceding two goals, and going unbeaten for a [[FIFA World Cup records|World Cup record]] of 518 minutes, until they were beaten by an Argentinian equaliser in the semi-final. His performances earned him a spot on the [[1990 FIFA World Cup#All-star team|1990 World Cup Team of the tournament]].<ref name="Storie di Calcio: Franco Baresi"/>

After replacing [[Giuseppe Bergomi]] as [[Captain (association football)|captain]] for the [[1994 FIFA World Cup|1994 World Cup]] under his former manager at Milan, Arrigo Sacchi, Baresi sustained an injury to his meniscus in Italy's second group match, a 1–0 win against [[Norway national football team|Norway]], and missed most of the tournament.<ref name=baresi/> He returned to the squad 25 days later, in time for [[1994 FIFA World Cup Final|the final]], with a dominant defensive performance, helping Italy to keep a clean sheet against [[Brazil national football team|Brazil]], despite the key defensive absences of his Milan teammates Alessandro Costacurta and Mauro Tassotti. After a 0–0 deadlock following extra time, the match went to a penalty shootout, and Baresi subsequently missed his penalty, suffering from severe cramps and fatigue. Following misses by [[Daniele Massaro]] and Roberto Baggio, Italy were defeated by Brazil in the [[penalty shoot-out (association football)|penalty shootout]].<ref name=imperial/>

Following the World Cup defeat, Baresi made one more appearance for Italy, in an away [[UEFA Euro 1996 qualifying|UEFA Euro 1996 qualifying match]] against [[Slovenia national football team|Slovenia]] on 7 September 1994, which ended in a 1–1 draw. Baresi subsequently retired from the national side at age 34, passing the captain's armband to his Milan teammate Paolo Maldini. Baresi amassed 81 caps for Italy, scoring one goal in a friendly win against the [[Soviet Union national football team|Soviet Union]], and he is one of seven players to have achieved the rare feat of winning Gold, Silver and Bronze FIFA World Cup medals during his international career.<ref name=imperial/><ref name="Nazionale in cifre: Convocazioni e presenze in campo – Franco Baresi"/>

==Style of play==
Baresi played his entire 20-year career with Milan, becoming a central figure and a legend in the club's history.<ref name="fifa.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/players/player=174375/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140110162108/http://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/players/player=174375/|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 January 2014|title=Franco Baresi: Milan and Italy's imperial sweeper|publisher=FIFA|access-date=21 July 2014}}</ref> During his time at Milan, he formed one of the most formidable defensive units of all time, alongside [[Paolo Maldini]], [[Alessandro Costacurta]], [[Mauro Tassotti]], [[Filippo Galli]], and later [[Christian Panucci]].<ref name="telegraph.co.uk">{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/8481543/Worlds-greatest-XI-the-best-ever-football-team-in-pictures.html?image=4|title=World's greatest XI: the best ever football team in pictures|work=The Telegraph|date=28 April 2011 |access-date=21 July 2014|archive-date=26 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140226032344/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/8481543/Worlds-greatest-XI-the-best-ever-football-team-in-pictures.html?image=4|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="fifa.com"/> Baresi was known for his consistency and all-around defensive ability, combining physical strength with technical composure. He possessed notable attributes including pace, strength, concentration, and stamina, which contributed to his effectiveness in aerial situations despite not having the typical height for a [[centre-back]].<ref name="ricerca.repubblica.it">{{cite news|url=http://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/1992/01/03/il-furore-sportivo-sovietico-ci-manchera.html|title=IL FURORE SPORTIVO SOVIETICO CI MANCHERA'|work=La Repubblica|language=it|author=Gianni Brera|date=3 January 1992|access-date=27 January 2010|archive-date=4 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100304080247/http://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/1992/01/03/il-furore-sportivo-sovietico-ci-manchera.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.corriere.it/sport/calcio/serie-a/2016-2017/cards/volo-bonucci-classifica-8-migliori-difensori-italiani-sempre/quinto-baresi.shtml|title=Il volo di Bonucci e la classifica degli 8 migliori difensori italiani di sempre|work=Il Corriere della Sera|language=it|author1=Mario Sconcerti|date=23 November 2016|access-date=27 December 2016|archive-date=25 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161125112638/http://www.corriere.it/sport/calcio/serie-a/2016-2017/cards/volo-bonucci-classifica-8-migliori-difensori-italiani-sempre/quinto-baresi.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="One-on-One">{{cite web|url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/franco-baresi-one-one|title=Franco Baresi: One-on-One|work=FourFourTwo|author1=James Richardson|date=1 November 2009|access-date=28 September 2017|archive-date=29 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170929000553/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/franco-baresi-one-one|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Jerseys of Franco Baresi & Paolo Maldini.jpg|thumb|right|Baresi's Italy jersey (6) next to [[Paolo Maldini]]'s jersey at the [[San Siro]] museum, September 2018]]
Although Baresi was capable of playing anywhere along the backline, he primarily excelled as a centreback and as [[Sweeper (association football)|sweeper]], where he combined his defensive attributes, and his ability to read the game, with his excellent vision, technique, distribution and ball skills.<ref name="BARESI, Franco">{{cite web|url=http://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/franco-baresi_(Enciclopedia-dello-Sport)/|title=BARESI, Franco|work=Enciclopedia dello Sport|location=Treccani|date=2002|language=it|author=Alberto Costa|access-date=12 December 2015|archive-date=23 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151223121114/http://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/franco-baresi_(Enciclopedia-dello-Sport)/|url-status=live}}</ref> These qualities also enabled him to excel in a [[Marking (association football)#Zonal marking|zonal marking]] system, maintain a high defensive line, and play the offside trap, in particular during his time at Milan under [[Arrigo Sacchi|Sacchi]];<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/game-changers-arrigo-sacchi-ac-milan/ |title=Game Changers: Arrigo Sacchi & AC Milan |work=Vice |last1=Storey |first1=Daniel |date=2 March 2016 |access-date=17 October 2019 |archive-date=17 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191017162208/https://www.vice.com/en_ca/article/wnm84n/game-changers-arrigo-sacchi-ac-milan |url-status=live }}</ref> indeed, Baresi came to be known for often raising his arm towards the linesman whenever his team attempted to play the offside trap.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sportmediaset.mediaset.it/calcio/calcio/il-fuorigioco-fa-90-anni-oggi-e-piu-difficile-ma-per-farlo-serve-mentalita-offensiva-_1055921-201502a.shtml |title=Il fuorigioco fa 90 anni: "Oggi è più difficile, ma per farlo serve mentalità offensiva" |publisher=www.sportmediaset.mediaset.it |language=it |last1=Cristina |first1=Max |date=15 January 2015 |access-date=17 October 2019 |archive-date=17 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191017163728/https://www.sportmediaset.mediaset.it/calcio/calcio/il-fuorigioco-fa-90-anni-oggi-e-piu-difficile-ma-per-farlo-serve-mentalita-offensiva-_1055921-201502a.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> Baresi's passing range, technical ability and ball control allowed him to advance forward into the midfield to start attacking plays from the back, enabling him to function as a secondary [[Playmaker#Playmaking in other positions|playmaker]] for his team, and also play as a [[Defensive midfielder|defensive]] or [[central midfielder]] when necessary.<ref name="fifa.com"/><ref name="ricerca.repubblica.it"/> Despite being a defender, he was also an accurate [[Penalty kick (association football)|penalty kick]] taker. Baresi was known for being a strong and accurate tackler, who was very good at winning back possession, and at anticipating and intercepting plays, due to his acute tactical intelligence, speed of thought, marking ability and positional sense.<ref name="fifa.com"/><ref name="One-on-One"/><ref name="BARESI, Franco"/> A precocious talent in his youth,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.archiviolastampa.it/component/option,com_lastampa/task,search/mod,libera/action,viewer/Itemid,3/page,25/articleid,1412_02_1982_0122_0025_20131431/ |title=F. Baresi: Esordienti al "Pozzo" |newspaper=La Stampa |page=25 |language=it |date=21 May 1982 |access-date=17 December 2018 |archive-date=17 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181217110902/http://www.archiviolastampa.it/component/option,com_lastampa/task,search/mod,libera/action,viewer/Itemid,3/page,25/articleid,1412_02_1982_0122_0025_20131431/ |url-status=live }}</ref> throughout the course of his career, he also stood out for his professionalism, athleticism, longevity, and discipline in training, as well as his outstanding leadership, commanding presence on the pitch and his organisational skills; indeed, he captained both Milan and the Italy national team.<ref name="fifa.com"/><ref name=corriere2>{{cite news|url=http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/1995/giugno/05/Vialli_Rambo_Tarzan_Pagliuca_ecco_co_0_95060511464.shtml|title=Vialli Rambo, Tarzan Pagliuca: ecco la nazionale della Forza|newspaper=Corriere della Sera|author=Giorgio Rondelli|language=it|date=5 June 1995|access-date=7 September 2015|archive-date=30 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151030022236/http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/1995/giugno/05/Vialli_Rambo_Tarzan_Pagliuca_ecco_co_0_95060511464.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>

Baresi also shares the record of most [[own goal]]s scored in [[Football records and statistics in Italy#Most own goals scored in Serie A history|Serie A history]] (eight, along with [[Riccardo Ferri]]).<ref>{{cite news |url=http://archiviostorico.gazzetta.it/2004/gennaio/10/chi_detiene_record_autoreti_nella_sw_0_040110585.shtml |title=chi detiene il record di autoreti nella storia della serie a ? |work=La Gazzetta dello Sport |language=it |date=10 January 2004 |access-date=2 September 2019 |archive-date=27 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221127195222/http://archiviostorico.gazzetta.it/2004/gennaio/10/chi_detiene_record_autoreti_nella_sw_0_040110585.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Coaching career==
On 1 June 2002, Baresi was officially appointed as director of football at [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]], but tensions between Baresi and then Fulham manager [[Jean Tigana]] led to resignation from the club in August.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/f/fulham/2206573.stm | work=BBC News | title=Baresi quits Fulham | date=21 August 2002 | access-date=3 April 2012 | archive-date=27 November 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221127195242/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/f/fulham/2206573.stm | url-status=live }}</ref>

He was appointed head coach of Milan's ''Primavera'' Under-20 squad. In 2006, he was moved by the club to coach the ''Berretti'' Under-19 squad, with his former teammate Filippo Galli replacing him at the helm of the Primavera squad. He retired from coaching and was replaced by Roberto Bertuzzo.

==Personal life==
Franco Baresi is the younger brother of Inter Milan legendary defender [[Giuseppe Baresi]]. As youngsters, both players had tryouts for Inter, but Franco was rejected, and purchased by local rivals Milan. As he was the younger player, Franco was initially known as "Baresi 2".<ref name="Franchino (detto Franco) BARESI (II)"/> However, due to Franco's eventual great success and popularity throughout his career, which surpassed even that of his older brother's, Giuseppe later became known as "the other Baresi", despite also achieving notable success.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pianeta-calcio.it/?page=vedi_incontri_vip&id=228|title=L'ALTRO BARESI|language=it|access-date=1 January 2015|archive-date=29 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129022756/http://www.pianeta-calcio.it/?page=vedi_incontri_vip&id=228|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 1981, Baresi suffered from a blood infection that forced him out of play for nearly four months and worsened his health to the point of him needing a [[wheelchair]]. While in treatment, he participated in a medical research for the disease.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://m.milannews.it/news/baresi-e-il-virus-che-nel-1981-lo-ha-tenuto-fuori-4-mesi-passare-dal-campo-alla-sedia-a-rotelle-fu-un-momento-delicato-555582 | title=Baresi e il virus che nel 1981 lo ha tenuto fuori 4 mesi: "Passare dal campo alla sedia a rotelle fu un momento delicato" }}</ref>

In August 2025, Baresi had a [[lung surgery]], with a pulmonary nodule removed from his body. Then, he began a course of [[immunotherapy]] as a means of [[cancer prevention]].<ref>{{cite web | title=AC Milan Official Statement | url=https://www.acmilan.com/en/news/articles/club/2025-08-03/ac-milan-official-statement }}</ref>

==Media==
Baresi is featured in the [[EA Sports]] football video game series ''[[FIFA 14]]'''s Classic XI – a multi-national all-star team, along with compatriots [[Bruno Conti]], Gianni Rivera and [[Giacinto Facchetti]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fifa-almanac.com/team/fifa13w/111205|title=FIFA 14 Classic XI|access-date=17 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930102150/http://www.assocalciatori.it/Aicstruttura/Lastoria/tabid/64/language/it-IT/Default.aspx|archive-date=30 September 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> He was also named in the Ultimate Team Legends in ''[[FIFA 15]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.easports.com/fifa/news/2014/fifa-15-player-ratings-fut-legends|title=FIFA 15 Player Ratings – FIFA Ultimate Team Legends|website=easports.com|publisher=EA Sports|date=10 September 2015|access-date=17 March 2015|archive-date=2 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402180715/https://www.easports.com/fifa/news/2014/fifa-15-player-ratings-fut-legends|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Career statistics==
===Club===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
|-
!rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season
!colspan="3"|League
!colspan="2"|[[Coppa Italia]]
!colspan="2"|[[UEFA|Europe]]{{efn|Appearances in [[UEFA Champions League]], [[UEFA Cup]], and [[European Super Cup]]}}
!colspan="2"|Other
!colspan="2"|Total
|-
!Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="20"|[[AC Milan]]
|[[1977–78 Serie A|1977–78]]
|[[Serie A]]
|1||0||2||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||3||0
|-
|[[1978–79 AC Milan season|1978–79]]
|Serie A
|30||0||4||0||6||0||colspan="2"|–||40||0
|-
|[[1979–80 Serie A|1979–80]]
|Serie A
|28||0||6||0||1||0||colspan="2"|–||35||0
|-
|[[1980–81 Serie B|1980–81]]
|[[Serie B]]
|31||0||4||1||0||0||colspan="2"|–||35||1
|-
|[[1981–82 Serie A|1981–82]]
|Serie A
|18||2||4||0||colspan="2"|–|||3||2||25||4
|-
|[[1982–83 Serie B|1982–83]]
|Serie B
|30||4||9||2||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||39||6
|-
|[[1983–84 Serie A|1983–84]]
|Serie A
|21||3||9||2||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||30||5
|-
|[[1984–85 AC Milan season|1984–85]]
|Serie A
|26||0||10||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||36||0
|-
|[[1985–86 AC Milan season|1985–86]]
|Serie A
|20||0||4||0||3||0||3||0||30||0
|-
|[[1986–87 AC Milan season|1986–87]]
|Serie A
|29||2||6||3||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||35||5
|-
|[[1987–88 AC Milan season|1987–88]]
|Serie A
|27||1||6||0||3||0||colspan="2"|–||36||1
|-
|[[1988–89 AC Milan season|1988–89]]
|Serie A
|33||2||8||2||8||0||1||0||50||4
|-
|[[1989–90 AC Milan season|1989–90]]
|Serie A
|30||1||7||4||8||0||1||0||46||5
|-
|[[1990–91 AC Milan season|1990–91]]
|Serie A
|31||0||1||0||5||0||1||0||38||0
|-
|[[1991–92 AC Milan season|1991–92]]
|Serie A
|33||0||6||1||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||39||1
|-
|[[1992–93 AC Milan season|1992–93]]
|Serie A
|29||0||7||0||8||0||1||0||45||0
|-
|[[1993–94 AC Milan season|1993–94]]
|Serie A
|31||0||0||0||11||0||2||0||44||0
|-
|[[1994–95 AC Milan season|1994–95]]
|Serie A
|28||0||0||0||13||0||2||0||43||0
|-
|[[1995–96 AC Milan season|1995–96]]
|Serie A
|30||1||3||0||7||0||colspan="2"|–||40||1
|-
|[[1996–97 AC Milan season|1996–97]]
|Serie A
|26||0||1||0||2||0||1||0||30||0
|-
!colspan="3"|Career total
!532!!16!!97!!15!!75!!0!!15!!2!!719!!33
|}

{{notelist}}

===International===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/fbaresi-intl.html|title=Franco Baresi – International Appearances|website=[[RSSSF]]|access-date=2 February 2023|archive-date=9 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209014215/https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/fbaresi-intl.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
!National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="13"|[[Italy national football team|Italy]]
|1982||1||0
|-
|1983||3||0
|-
|1984||5||0
|-
|1985||0||0
|-
|1986||3||0
|-
|1987||5||0
|-
|1988||11||1
|-
|1989||10||0
|-
|1990||11||0
|-
|1991||9||0
|-
|1992||7||0
|-
|1993||7||0
|-
|1994||9||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total!!81!!1
|}

:''Scores and results list Italy's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Baresi goal.''

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of international goals scored by Franco Baresi
|-
!scope="col"|No.
!scope="col"|Date
!scope="col"|Venue
!scope="col"|Opponent
!scope="col"|Score
!scope="col"|Result
!scope="col"|Competition
|-
| align="center"|1 || 20 February 1988 || [[Stadio della Vittoria]], [[Bari]], Italy || {{fb|Soviet Union}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|4–1 || | [[Friendly (association football)|Friendly]]
|}

==Honours==

'''AC Milan'''<ref name="A.C. Milan Hall of Fame: Franco Baresi"/><ref name="Franchino (detto Franco) BARESI (II)"/>
*[[Serie A]]: [[1978–79 Serie A|1978–79]], [[1987–88 Serie A|1987–88]], [[1991–92 Serie A|1991–92]], [[1992–93 Serie A|1992–93]], [[1993–94 Serie A|1993–94]], [[1995–96 Serie A|1995–96]]
*[[Serie B]]: [[1980–81 Serie B|1980–81]], [[1982–83 Serie B|1982–83]]
*[[Supercoppa Italiana]]: [[1988 Supercoppa Italiana|1988]], [[1992 Supercoppa Italiana|1992]], [[1993 Supercoppa Italiana|1993]], [[1994 Supercoppa Italiana|1994]]
*[[UEFA Champions League|European Cup/UEFA Champions League]]: [[1988–89 European Cup|1988–89]], [[1989–90 European Cup|1989–90]], [[1993–94 UEFA Champions League|1993–94]]
*[[European Super Cup]]: [[1990 European Super Cup|1990]], [[1994 European Super Cup|1994]]
*[[Intercontinental Cup (1960–2004)|Intercontinental Cup]]: [[1989 Intercontinental Cup|1989]], [[1990 Intercontinental Cup|1990]]

;Italy<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/FootballFicheJoueur10187.html|title=Franco Baresi|work=L'Èquipe|language=fr|access-date=10 December 2015|archive-date=11 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151211110521/http://www.lequipe.fr/Football/FootballFicheJoueur10187.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[FIFA World Cup]]: [[1982 FIFA World Cup|1982]]; Runner-Up: [[1994 FIFA World Cup|1994]]; Third Place: [[1990 FIFA World Cup|1990]]
*[[Scania 100 Tournament]]: 1991<ref>[https://soccernostalgia.blogspot.com/2016/09/tournaments-part-6-scania-100-1991.html?m=1 Tournaments-Part 6 – Scania 100 (1991)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231125175228/https://soccernostalgia.blogspot.com/2016/09/tournaments-part-6-scania-100-1991.html?m=1 |date=25 November 2023 }} Soccer Nostalgia. Tuesday, September 20, 2016</ref>

'''Individual'''
*[[Guerin Sportivo|Serie A Team of The Year]]: 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bigsoccer.com/threads/serie-a-guerin-sportivo-1980-1991-every-game-with-player-ratings.2085771/ |website=BigSoccer |title=Guerin Sportivo Serie A Team of the Year|access-date=30 September 2024}}</ref>
*[[Ballon d'Or]] Runner-Up: [[1989 Ballon d'Or|1989]]<ref name="BARESI, Franco"/>
*Coppa Italia Top Scorer: [[1989–90 Coppa Italia|1989–90]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesi/italcuptops.html |title=Italy – Coppa Italia Top Scorers |website=[[RSSSF]] |access-date=10 April 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151029033413/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesi/italcuptops.html |archive-date=29 October 2015 }}</ref>
*[[Guerin d'Oro]]: [[1989–90 Serie A|1989–90]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/italpoy.html |title=Italy – Footballer of the Year |website=[[RSSSF]] |access-date=10 April 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150121013030/http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/italpoy.html |archive-date=21 January 2015 }}</ref>
*[[FIFA World Cup awards|FIFA World Cup All-Star Team]]: 1990<ref>{{cite web|url=http://football.sporting99.com/fifa-world-cup-all-star-team.html |title=FIFA World Cup Awards: All-Star Team |access-date=22 March 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160630203237/http://football.sporting99.com/fifa-world-cup-all-star-team.html |archive-date=30 June 2016 }}</ref>
*Onze de Onze:<ref name="RSSSF">{{cite web|last=Pierrend |first=José Luis |title="Onze Mondial" Awards |publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |date=6 March 2012 |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/onze-awards.html |access-date=26 December 2015}}</ref> 1990, 1991, 1992
*[[Premio Nazionale Carriera Esemplare "Gaetano Scirea"]]: 1994<ref>{{cite web|title=Premio Nazionale Carriera Esemplare "Gaetano Scirea": Alba d'Oro|url=http://www.comune.cinisello-balsamo.mi.it/spip.php?article3932|access-date=21 January 2015|archive-date=22 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022191358/https://www.comune.cinisello-balsamo.mi.it/spip.php?article3932|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[World Soccer (magazine)#Greatest Players of the 20th century|World Soccer The Greatest Players of the 20th Century]] #19<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.topendsports.com/world/lists/greatest-all-time/soccer-worldsoccer100.htm|title=World Soccer 100 Players of the Century|website=topendsports.com|access-date=10 April 2015|archive-date=16 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150416030000/http://www.topendsports.com/world/lists/greatest-all-time/soccer-worldsoccer100.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
*AC Milan Player of the Century: 1999<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goldenfoot.com/legend-details.php?l=en&WinnerID=10&Title=franco-baresi|title=Golden Foot Legend Franco Baresi|publisher=Golden Foot|access-date=5 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150926152419/http://www.goldenfoot.com/legend-details.php?l=en&WinnerID=10&Title=franco-baresi|archive-date=26 September 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*[[Gran Galà del Calcio#Serie A Player of the Century|AIC Serie A Player of the Century]]: 2000<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/default.aspx?pageid=438&n=totti-named-player-of-year-baresi-the-player-of-century-2000-10-05|title=Totti named Player of Year, Baresi the Player of Century|work=Hurriyet Daily News|date=10 May 2000|access-date=5 October 2015|archive-date=5 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151005211004/http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/default.aspx?pageid=438&n=totti-named-player-of-year-baresi-the-player-of-century-2000-10-05|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[FIFA 100]]: 2004<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/international/2374252/Pele-open-to-ridicule-over-top-hundred.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/international/2374252/Pele-open-to-ridicule-over-top-hundred.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Pele open to ridicule over top hundred|work=The Telegraph|author1=Christopher Davies|date=5 March 2004|access-date=10 April 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
*[[UEFA Golden Jubilee Poll]]: #17th<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/newsfiles/171606.pdf|title=Zinedine Zidane voted top player by fans|website=[[UEFA]]|publisher=UEFA|access-date=24 July 2014|archive-date=24 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024165721/http://www.uefa.com/newsfiles/171606.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
*AC Milan Hall of Fame<ref name="A.C. Milan Hall of Fame: Franco Baresi"/>
*[[FICTS (Fédération Internationale Cinéma Télévision Sportifs)|FICTS]] Hall of Fame and [[Sport Movies & TV – Milano International FICTS Fest|Excellence Guirlande d'Honneur]]
*[[Golden Foot]]: 2012 (Under the Category of "[[Golden Foot#Award legends|Football Legend]]")<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.goldenfoot.com/en/legends.html |title=Golden Foot Legends |website=goldenfoot.com |publisher=Golden Foot |access-date=27 March 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150416024500/http://www.goldenfoot.com/en/legends.html |archive-date=16 April 2015 }}</ref>
*[[Italian Football Hall of Fame]]: 2013<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.football-italia.net/41221/baresi-and-batistuta-hall-fame|title=Baresi and Batistuta in Hall of Fame|work=Football Italia|date=31 October 2013|access-date=10 April 2015|archive-date=17 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150417120457/http://www.football-italia.net/41221/baresi-and-batistuta-hall-fame|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Ballon d'Or Dream Team]] (Silver): 2020<ref>{{cite web |title=The other two Ballon d'Or Dream Team XIs: Zidane, Cruyff, Iniesta, Di Stefano... but no Casillas |url=https://www.marca.com/en/football/international-football/2020/12/14/5fd7bc8522601d53598b45b2.html |website=[[MARCA]] |date=15 December 2020 |access-date=15 December 2020 |archive-date=2 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210102160450/https://www.marca.com/en/football/international-football/2020/12/14/5fd7bc8522601d53598b45b2.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[International Federation of Football History & Statistics#All-Time Men's Dream Team (2021)|IFFHS All-Time Men's Dream Team]]: 2021<ref name="IFFHS Dream Team">{{cite web |url=https://www.iffhs.com/posts/1110 |title=IFFHS ALL TIME WORLD MEN'S DREAM TEAM |work=IFFHS |date=22 May 2021 |access-date=19 September 2021 |archive-date=2 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602213838/https://www.iffhs.com/posts/1110 |url-status=live }}</ref>

'''Orders'''
:*[[File:Ufficiale OMRI BAR.svg|left|50px]] 4th Class / Officer: ''[[Order of Merit of the Italian Republic|Ufficiale Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana]]'': 1991<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.quirinale.it/elementi/DettaglioOnorificenze.aspx?decorato=208909|title=Ufficiale Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana Sig. Franchino Baresi|publisher=Quirinale.it|language=it|access-date=12 December 2015|archive-date=22 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222232449/http://www.quirinale.it/elementi/DettaglioOnorificenze.aspx?decorato=208909|url-status=live}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[List of one-club men in association football]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://fourfourtwo.com/interviews/one-on-one/337/article.aspx 2009 Interview at fourfourtwo.com]
* {{FIFA}}
* {{UEFA}}
* {{TuttoCalciatori}}
* {{Webarchive |title=Franco Baresi at FIGC.it |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410014649/http://www.figc.it/nazionali/DettaglioConvocato?codiceConvocato=19&squadra=1 |date=10 April 2009}} {{in lang|it}}
* {{Olympics.com|franco-baresi}}
* {{Olympedia}}

{{Navboxes
| title = Awards
| bg = gold
| list1 = 
{{1990 FIFA World Cup Team of the Tournament}}
{{1989 World Soccer World XI}}
{{1990 World Soccer World XI}}
{{Coppa Italia top scorers}}
{{Premio Scirea}}
{{European Team of the 20th Century}}
{{Ballon d'Or Dream Team}}
{{IFFHS Men's World Team of the 20th Century}}
{{IFFHS Men's European Team of the 20th Century}}
{{IFFHS All-time Men's World Dream Team}}
{{IFFHS All-time Men's European Dream Team}}
{{FIFA 100}}
{{Golden Foot Legends Award}}
{{Italian Football Hall of Fame}}
}}
{{Navboxes
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{{Italy Squad 1980 UEFA Euro}}
{{Italy Squad 1982 World Cup}}
{{Italy Squad 1984 Summer Olympics}}
{{Italy Squad 1988 UEFA Euro}}
{{Italy Squad 1990 World Cup}}
{{Italy Squad 1994 World Cup}}
}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Baresi, Franco}}
[[Category:1960 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Footballers from the Province of Brescia]]
[[Category:Men's association football sweepers]]
[[Category:Men's association football central defenders]]
[[Category:Italian men's footballers]]
[[Category:Italy men's international footballers]]
[[Category:AC Milan players]]
[[Category:UEFA Champions League–winning players]]
[[Category:Serie A players]]
[[Category:Serie B players]]
[[Category:Fulham F.C. non-playing staff]]
[[Category:AC Milan non-playing staff]]
[[Category:FIFA 100]]
[[Category:Olympic footballers for Italy]]
[[Category:Footballers at the 1984 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:UEFA Euro 1980 players]]
[[Category:1982 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:UEFA Euro 1988 players]]
[[Category:1990 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:1994 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:FIFA World Cup–winning players]]
[[Category:Italian football managers]]
[[Category:Officers of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic]]
[[Category:Association football players with retired numbers]]
[[Category:20th-century Italian sportsmen]]