Franco Baresi is one of the best Italian footballers ever. A fantastic central defender, he was the backbone of the Milan team that won everything in Italy and Europe.
Let’s have a look at his trophies:
Scudetto: 6 (1978-79, 1987-88, 1991-92, 1992-93, 1993-94, 1995-96)
Serie B: 2 (1980-81, 1982-83)
Supercoppa: 4 (1988, 1992, 1993, 1994)
Champions League: 3 (1988-89, 1989-90, 1993-94)
UEFA Super Cup: 2 (1990, 1994)
Intercontinental Cup: 2 (1989, 1990)
Mitropa Cup: 1 (1981-82)
World Cup: 1 (1982)
Born on May 8, 1960, in Travagliato near Brescia, he started playing football in the Milan youth teams. He had been tried out at Inter, where his brother Giuseppe was playing, but they thought nothing of him.
He debuted in Serie A on April 28, 1978, at just 17 years of age. The next season he was in the first eleven as manager Nils Liedholm preferred him to Ramon Turone. That year Milan won the scudetto.
When Milan were relegated due to the totonero scandal, he was one of the few who decided to stay. He became captain at 22 and was part of the Italian squad that won the World Cup in Spain in 1982 (but he never played).
With the arrival of Arrigo Sacchi, Milan won the 1987-88 Scudetto and two European Cups. Once Sacchi left and the team was given to Fabio Capello, Milan became invincible. The defensive back four, Mauro Tassotti, Baresi, Alessandro Costacurta and Paolo Maldini, with Marcel Desailly as defensive midfielder, were impenetrable, like hitting against a brick wall. They did not lose for a record 58 league games in a row and won 3 consecutive league titles.
Baresi retired in 1997 after 719 appearances for Milan with 33 goals.
He played a total of 81 games for Italy (1 goal) and participated in the World Cups of 1982 (but did not play), 1990 and 1994. He missed the 1986 world cup in Mexico because he had a heated argument with Enzo Bearzot since the latter insisted he played at midfield and he refused. In 1990 Italy came third and in 1994 second, losing out in the final penalty shoot-out. He missed the first spot kick.
After retirement he started working for the club and then had a very brief stint as sporting director for Fulham in 2002. He left after 81 days due to contrasts with manager Jean Tigana. He went back to Milan and was first head coach of the primavera and then the Berretti team (15-19 years of age). In 2017 he was nominated brand ambassador and in 2020 became honorary vice president of the club.
Baresi was a powerful defender, elegant, strong and a commanding presence in the back four. A true professional, he was one of the best defenders the world has ever seen.
Sources
Comments