AC Milan has officially dismissed false social media reports claiming that club legend and honorary vice president Franco Baresi has passed away. The Italian club issued a statement on Wednesday evening to address the rapidly spreading rumours about the 66-year-old former defender.
The false reports began circulating widely on social media, prompting the Rossoneri to intervene. In their statement, AC Milan declared: "AC Milan denies the false reports concerning Franco Baresi that have begun circulating in recent minutes." The club added that Baresi is currently navigating a challenging period, stating, "Franco is going through a difficult and delicate time, and the Club stands firmly alongside him and his family. We urge everyone to respect their privacy and refrain from spreading entirely unfounded information."
Baresi previously shared health details in August 2025, when he revealed that he had undergone surgery to remove a pulmonary nodule and had subsequently started a course of immunotherapy.
Renowned as a definitive one-club man, Baresi spent his entire professional playing career with Milan. He progressed through the youth academy and played exclusively for the senior team from 1977 until his retirement in 1997. During his illustrious two-decade career, the iconic captain made 716 competitive appearances, scoring 33 goals and registering 24 assists.
His tenure on the pitch yielded an extraordinary collection of silverware, including three Champions League trophies, six Serie A titles, two Intercontinental Cups, three European Supercups, and four Italian Supercups (Supercoppa Italiana). Following his retirement, Baresi held various positions within the club, including coaching in the youth academy, before being appointed as Milan's honorary vice president in October 2020.
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