Franco Baresi

Franco Baresi (born May 8, 1960 in Travagliato, province of Brescia) is an Italian youth team coach and former football player with A.C. Milan.

He is regarded as one of the finest sweepers in history. He is also one of the few players who spent his entire career at one club, AC Milan, for whom he played 531 games, scoring 16 goals.

He retired from playing in 1996 aged 36. With Milan, Baresi won six scudetti (Serie A league titles) and three European Cups. He mentored defensive partner Paolo Maldini in his later years, whose career has followed a similar path. His #6 jersey was retired by the club, a rarity for Italian soccer. After a short spell as Director of Football at Fulham, Baresi returned to Milan as a youth team coach in 2002.

Internationally, Baresi played in two World Cups for Italy. Baresi was part of the 1982 World Cup squad in Spain aged 22, but didn't play. He missed the 1986 tournament after falling out with the Italian manager but later returned and finally made his World Cup debut in 1990 when Italy were the hosts. The Azzurri lost to Argentina in the semi-finals, but went on to beat England in the third place play off.

In 1994 he was one step closer to lifting the trophy, losing to Brazil in the final. He missed the first penalty in the shootout after the 0-0 full-time and extra-time score. He was also a member of the Italian squad that finished fourth at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California.

His brother Giuseppe Baresi played for bitter rivals Inter.

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