Franco Baresi facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Franco Baresi
OMRI

Baresi in 2012
Personal information
Full name	Franchino Baresi
Date of birth	(1960-05-08) 8 May 1960 (age 65)
Place of birth	Travagliato, Italy
Height	1.76 m
Playing position	Sweeper
Youth career
1972–1977	AC Milan
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1977–1997	AC Milan	532	(16)
National team
1982–1994	Italy	81	(1)
Teams managed
2002–2006	AC Milan Primavera
2006–2008	Milan Primavera (Berretti)
Honours Men's football Representing  Italy FIFA World Cup Winner 1982 Spain Runner-up 1994 United States Third 1990 Italy
Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals).

Franco Baresi (born 8 May 1960) is a famous Italian football coach and former player. He spent his entire 20-year playing career with AC Milan, a top club in Italy. He was the team captain for 15 seasons. Many people think he is one of the best defenders ever.

Baresi was known for being a strong sweeper or central defender. He won many major trophies with Milan, including three UEFA Champions League titles and six Serie A titles. He also won a FIFA World Cup with the Italian national team. In 1999, he was voted Milan's Player of the Century. His shirt number 6 was retired by the club when he stopped playing.

Early Life

Franco Baresi grew up on a farm near a small town in northern Italy called Travagliato. He didn't start watching football on TV until he was 10 years old.

Club Career

Franco Baresi started his football journey in the AC Milan youth team. He made his first team debut in Serie A when he was just 17. This was in the 1977–78 season.

Interestingly, the youth team of Inter Milan, Milan's big rival, had first rejected him. They chose his older brother, Giuseppe, instead. But Milan saw Franco's talent and signed him. Both brothers later became captains of their clubs. Their image exchanging team flags became a symbol of the Milan derby matches.

In his second season, Baresi became a regular starter. He played as a sweeper or centre-back. He helped Milan win the Serie A title in 1979. This was Milan's tenth league title.

Baresi playing for AC Milan in 1979.

The early 1980s were tough for Milan. The club was sent down to Serie B (a lower league) twice. This happened in 1980 and again in 1982. Even though Italy won the 1982 World Cup with Baresi in the squad, he stayed with Milan. He helped them win the Serie B title twice. This brought Milan back to Serie A.

At just 22, Baresi became Milan's captain in 1982. He was a true leader for the team. During this time, Milan also won the Mitropa Cup in 1982.

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Milan became very strong. Baresi was the heart of their famous defence. This defence included Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Costacurta, and Mauro Tassotti. Many people believe this was one of the best defences ever.

With new star players like Marco van Basten, Ruud Gullit, and Frank Rijkaard, Milan started winning many trophies. Between 1987 and 1996, Milan was a top club. They won the Serie A title in 1988. Baresi helped the team only let in 14 goals that season.

Milan then won the European Cup two years in a row. They won in 1989 and 1990. In the 1990 final, Baresi was amazing as captain. He helped Milan win 1-0 and keep a clean sheet. He also finished second for the Ballon d'Or award in 1989.

Baresi won four more Serie A titles with Milan. Three of these were in a row: 1991–92, 1992–93, and 1993–94. In 1991–92, Milan won the title without losing a single game. They went unbeaten for an Italian record of 58 matches. Milan also scored a record 74 goals that season. In 1993–94, Baresi helped Milan only let in 15 goals in Serie A.

Milan also reached three straight UEFA Champions League finals. They won their third European Cup/Champions League title in 1994. They beat Barcelona 4-0 in the final. Baresi also won the 1994 European Super Cup. His sixth Serie A title came in the 1995–96 season.

Baresi stopped playing football at the end of the 1996–97 season. He was 37 years old. In his 20 seasons with Milan, he won many trophies. These included six Serie A titles and three European Cup/Champions League titles. He scored 31 goals for Milan. To honor him, Milan retired his number 6 shirt. His captain's armband was given to Paolo Maldini.

International Career

At 20, Franco Baresi was picked for Italy's squad for the 1980 European Championship. His older brother Giuseppe was also in the squad. Italy finished fourth, but Franco did not play any matches.

In 1982, Baresi was part of Italy's squad for the 1982 FIFA World Cup. Italy won the World Cup, but Baresi did not play in any games. He also played for Italy at the 1984 Olympics. Italy reached the semi-finals there.

Baresi played his first senior international match in 1982. This was a qualifying match for the 1984 UEFA Championship. He was not chosen for the 1986 World Cup squad.

He returned to the team for the 1988 European Championship. He played as a sweeper and was a key player. Italy reached the semi-finals. Baresi played in his first World Cup match in the 1990 tournament. This was held in Italy. He played in every game as a starting centre-back. Italy finished third. Baresi helped Italy's defence keep five clean sheets in a row. They only let in two goals in the whole tournament. His great play earned him a spot on the 1990 World Cup All-Star Team.

Baresi became captain for the 1994 World Cup. But he got a knee injury in Italy's second group match. He missed most of the tournament. Amazingly, he returned for the final against Brazil. He played a fantastic defensive game. The match ended 0-0 after extra time. It went to a penalty shootout. Sadly, Baresi missed his penalty. Italy lost to Brazil in the shootout.

After the World Cup, Baresi played one more game for Italy. He retired from the national team at 34. He played 81 matches for Italy and scored one goal. He is one of only seven players to win Gold, Silver, and Bronze World Cup medals.

How He Played

Baresi is seen as one of the best defenders of all time. He played his whole 20-year career with Milan. He became a club legend. At Milan, he was part of an amazing defence. This group included Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Costacurta, and Mauro Tassotti.

Baresi's Italy jersey (number 6) next to Paolo Maldini's jersey at the San Siro museum.

Baresi was a complete and consistent defender. He was strong, fast, and very focused. He was good in the air, even though he wasn't very tall for a centre-back. He could play anywhere in defence. He was best as a centre-back or sweeper. He was great at reading the game. He also had excellent vision and could pass the ball well.

These skills helped him play in a zonal marking system. He was known for raising his arm to signal an offside trap. Baresi could also move forward into midfield to start attacks. He was a strong and accurate tackler. He was very good at winning the ball back. He could also predict and stop plays because he was very smart tactically.

Baresi was also a good penalty kick taker. He was known for his hard work, fitness, and discipline. He was a great leader and captain for both Milan and Italy.

He shares the record for the most own goals scored in Serie A history (eight).

After Playing Football

On 1 June 2002, Baresi became the director of football at Fulham in England. But he left the club in August due to disagreements.

He then became a coach for Milan's youth teams. He coached the Under-20 squad. Later, he moved to coach the Under-19 team. He eventually retired from coaching.

Fun Facts

Franco Baresi is the younger brother of Giuseppe Baresi, another famous defender. Giuseppe played for Inter Milan. When they were young, both brothers tried out for Inter. Franco was rejected, but Inter signed Giuseppe. Franco then joined rival club Milan. Because Franco was younger, he was first known as "Baresi 2". But Franco became so successful that Giuseppe later became known as "the other Baresi".

In 1981, Baresi had a blood infection. It made him unable to play for almost four months. He even needed a wheelchair for a time. He helped with medical research for the disease during his treatment.

Baresi is featured in the EA Sports football video game series FIFA 14. He is part of the Classic XI team. He was also named in the Ultimate Team Legends in FIFA 15.

Career Numbers

Club

International

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

List of international goals scored by Franco Baresi

No.	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	20 February 1988	Stadio della Vittoria, Bari, Italy	Soviet Union	1–0	4–1	Friendly

Awards and Trophies

AC Milan

• Serie A: 1978–79, 1987–88, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1995–96
• Serie B: 1980–81, 1982–83
• Supercoppa Italiana: 1988, 1992, 1993, 1994
• European Cup/UEFA Champions League: 1988–89, 1989–90, 1993–94
• European Super Cup: 1990, 1994
• Intercontinental Cup: 1989, 1990

Italy

• FIFA World Cup: 1982; runner-up: 1994; third place: 1990
• Scania 100 Tournament: 1991

Individual

• Serie A Team of The Year: 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992
• Ballon d'Or: runner-up 1989
• Coppa Italia top scorer: 1989–90
• Guerin d'Oro: 1989–90
• FIFA World Cup All-Star Team: 1990
• Onze de Onze: 1990, 1991, 1992
• Premio Nazionale Carriera Esemplare "Gaetano Scirea": 1994
• World Soccer The Greatest Players of the 20th century #19
• AC Milan Player of the Century: 1999
• AIC Serie A Player of the Century: 2000
• FIFA 100: 2004
• UEFA Golden Jubilee Poll: #17th
• AC Milan Hall of Fame
• FICTS Hall of Fame and Excellence Guirlande d'Honneur
• Golden Foot: 2012 (under the category of "Football Legend")
• Italian Football Hall of Fame: 2013
• Ballon d'Or Dream Team (Silver): 2020
• IFFHS All-time Men's Dream Team: 2021

Orders

• 
  4th Class / Officer: Ufficiale Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana: 1991

See also

In Spanish: Franco Baresi para niños

• List of one-club men in association football