Franco Baresi has died at the age of 66, Milan confirmed on Friday morning, and the tributes from across the game have not stopped since.
There is nothing about Baresi that Milanisti need told. Twenty senior seasons at the club, 15 of them as captain, through the glory and the darker years alike. Since 2020 he had served as the club's vice-president, and away from the pitch he was known for his charitable work through Fondazione Milan and initiatives such as Sports for Change.
Milan led the tributes in a statement that placed him at the centre of the club's identity. "The entire history of AC Milan is in tears following the passing of Franco Baresi. His example and integrity will be forever etched into the club's DNA, just as his iconic number 6 shirt is," the statement read. The Curva Sud kept it shorter: "Inimitable AC Milan bandiera. 6 forever, Captain."
The messages crossed every rivalry. Inter called him "a key figure in the great Milan Derby matches and one of the figures who most defined the history of the rivalry," while Juventus described him as a man of "class, style, leadership, and respect on and off the pitch." Real Madrid, at whose Santiago Bernabéu Baresi won the 1982 World Cup with Italy, set out his record in full: 719 matches for Milan, three European Cups, six league titles and much more besides.
The words that carried most, though, came from those who stood beside him. Paolo Maldini wrote of the man who raised him at the club. "You taught me to fight until the last breath, what it means to be loyal to the shirt, and the value of being a true leader. You did it by example, every day: few words, but countless actions. You protected me as a child, guided me as a boy, and inspired me as a man. You were the greatest player I've ever had the honor of playing with."
Clarence Seedorf, another who wore the shirt alongside him, said he was "speechless." He added: "You were and will remain an eternal symbol of leadership, loyalty, elegance and class. Your legacy will live on, inspiring generations far beyond the football pitch."
Rafael Leão spoke for the current dressing room in a single line: "Your legacy will live on forever. Thank you, captain." Davide Calabria, a fellow Brescian, wrote of growing up on Baresi's story before meeting the man himself. "It was an honor and a privilege to know you, I will never forget it. Have a good trip, great captain."
Opponents felt it too. Gianluigi Buffon recalled his Serie A debut against Milan in November 1995, aged 17, facing "the captain of that team." Jamie Carragher called him "the best central defender I've ever seen and the man who was loyal to one team par excellence." Andriy Shevchenko, Olivier Giroud, Alessandro Nesta, Pippo Inzaghi, Roberto Baggio, Serginho and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge all added their own.
Gianni Rivera, another Milan great, addressed the debate that followed Baresi for years. Asked whether he deserved a Ballon d'Or, Rivera answered: "I don't know the criteria of those years, but he was the greatest defender ever to have graced Italy."
The number 6 was retired long ago at Milan. On a day like this, it is clear it belonged to only one man.