The streets of Milan were red and black this week as the city paid its respects to an immortal legend. On July 31st, following a period of poor health, Franco Baresi passed at the age of 66. 

Across two decades the defender elevated his craft to a rare height, nullifying the greatest forwards of his era with a blend of flawless positional anticipation and elite distribution. He made it all look so easy.

After making 719 appearances for AC Milan, and 81 for the Italian national team – the bulk of them as captain – he retired in 1997, having won every major honour imaginable.

For the Rossoneri he won the Champions League on three occasions as well as six Serie A titles. For the Azzurri a World Cup, in 1982.

After making his final appearance at the San Siro in the Nineties, Milan announced they would forever more retire his iconic number six jersey. It was the first time in their history the club had bequeathed such a tribute.

Adored by legends and a people’s champion

His funeral service yesterday was held at The Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio and unsurprisingly the beautiful, ancient church was full of footballing royalty, there to honour a true giant of the game.

Among the pallbearers were Marco Van Basten and Roberto Donadoni, the former a three-time winner of the Ballon d’Or.

Also in attendance was Baresi’s club and international team-mate Roberto Baggio – a Ballon d’or winner in 1993 – along with multiple nominees Clarence Seedorf and Paolo Maldini.

Baresi himself was runner-up in the Ballon d’or in 1989, to his friend Van Basten. He is one of only four defenders to ever finish in the top two in the prestigious competition’s seventy year history.  

Though AC Milan are currently in Australia they were represented on Tuesday by a handful of stars unable to join the tour, including Christian Pulisic, the first American male to be Ballon d’Or nominated.  

On the player’s sad passing, Maldini spoke movingly about Baresi’s immense influence on himself, and a club they both served with great distinction, saying…

“You protected me when I was a child, guided me as a young man, and inspired me as an adult, and you were the greatest footballer I ever had the honour of playing with.”

Seedorf meanwhile wrote on Instagram…

“You were, and remain, an eternal symbol of leadership, loyalty, elegance and class.”

Naturally, these household names gained much attention yesterday, but the true mark of the player’s immeasurable standing was evident beyond the church’s grand entrance.

Along the procession to the service, and in the square outside the church, thousands of mourners turned up to pay their final respects, many of them AC Milan supporters, but also fans of Inter, the club’s city rivals.

This week, a friendly takes place featuring both teams. Further tributes are planned pre-match for a class act – both on and off the pitch - who will be hugely missed within the footballing community.