AC Milan is preparing to honor the memory of the legendary Franco Baresi, who passed away over the weekend at the age of 66. The club, where Baresi spent his entire professional playing career, has announced that a formal tribute will take place ahead of their friendly match against Inter. The team currently in Perth for a pre-season tour intends to mark the occasion by wearing black armbands and observing a minute’s silence. Additionally, the stadium will feature video highlights of Baresi’s career triumphs, accompanied by a fan-led choreography in the stands.
The funeral service is set for Tuesday, August 4, at 11:00 local time, held at the Sant’Ambrogio Basilica in Milan. The event will be broadcast live on the Italian television station Rete 4. While the current AC Milan squad and coaching staff are unable to attend due to their pre-season commitments in Australia, several notable figures are expected to be present. The list of attendees includes Milan President Paolo Scaroni, owner Gerry Cardinale, and CEO Massimo Calvelli. Former teammates such as Paolo Maldini, Marco van Basten, Dejan Savicevic, Demetrio Albertini, Sebastiano Rossi, Gianluca Zambrotta, Daniele Massaro, Alberico Evani, Roberto Donadoni, and Pietro Paolo Virdis are also expected to pay their respects. Delegations from other major clubs, including Inter, Barcelona, and Real Madrid, will also be in attendance.
Regarding Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s absence, reports indicate that his decision not to attend stems from a deeply personal approach to grief. Ibrahimovic has maintained a private stance on bereavement since the loss of his brother Sapko to leukaemia in 2014, choosing to express his condolences in person rather than through social media. This private approach was also observed following the deaths of his long-time agent, Mino Raiola, and former Milan President Silvio Berlusconi. Within the current squad, only Santiago Gimenez and Christian Pulisic remain in Milan due to injuries, while the rest of the team continues their tour in Australia.
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