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Italian defender Franco Baresi, the captain of AC Milan in the 1980s and 1990s when they won three European Cups and six Italian league titles, has died at the age of 66, the club announced on Friday."Milan is in tears following the passing of Franco Baresi. His example and integrity will be forever etched into the Club's DNA, just as his iconic number 6 shirt is," AC Milan, of which Baresi became honorary vice-president in 2020, wrote on X."We must be strong and gather every bit of energy, even at this saddest of times."We lost Franco only a few months after his last public appearance in a packed San Siro, at the Milan Winter Olympics opening ceremony, an event on the world stage he helped make unforgettable."In memory of Franco, we stand united, knowing he'll guide and push us throughout our Rossoneri journey. Forever. Because Baresi is forever."A World Cup winner with Italy in 1982 and a finalist at the 1994 World Cup, Baresi is regarded as one of the greatest sweepers in football history.AC Milan did not specify the cause of Baresi's death. He had undergone surgery in August 2025 to remove a lung nodule."It will take me a little time to get all my strength back," he said shortly afterwards.Born in Lombardy in May 1960, Baresi joined AC Milan's youth teams in 1974, before moving up to the first team in 1978 ahead of his 18th birthday.He then became a starter at 18 and captain at 22, noticed for his technique, anticipation and tackling skills, as well as his notable leadership qualities.Baresi went on to form, alongside Paolo Maldini, Mauro Tassotti and Alessandro Costacurta, a defence feared by every striker in Europe.He retired in 1997 after 719 matches with the Rossoneri, a record surpassed only by Maldini."Today I feel the same thing as to when for one reason or another you were unable to be on the pitch with us," said Maldini."How are we going to cope without our captain?" 'Greatest of defenders'Gianluigi Buffon, Italy's 2006 World Cup-winning goalkeeper, said his Serie A debut for Parma had stayed with him."November 19, 1995, I made my debut in Serie A against Milan," he wrote."I was 17... to be on the pitch against such a champion was an unbelievable experience."In addition to his red and black club jersey, Baresi wore the blue of the Nazionale 81 times.But after a World Cup title from the bench in 1982, he did not make the trip to Mexico in 1986 following a disagreement with the national coach.Penalty shootouts, in the semi-final of the 1990 World Cup and then in the final in 1994, shattered his hopes of another triumph.A Diego Maradona-led Argentina were their nemesis in the 1990 semi-final, but the late Argentinian superstar had paid him the greatest tribute when his club Napoli beat Milan 3-0 in a Serie A game the year before.He asked for Baresi's shirt and donned it in a post-match interview."He is the greatest of defenders. It is a memory I will keep for the rest of my life," he said.Baresi performed various roles for Milan in his retirement, the only time he spent away from them was a brief spell as technical director of English club Fulham."Ultimately, it was only a month: before the end of August, I was already back in Milan," he told Gazzetta dello Sport in 2025."I realised it wasn't the place for me, and in the end, I didn't even start working. The umbilical cord with Milan was never broken."However, he was never a man to feature in the gossip pages preferring to spend time abroad for the Milan Foundation which he found educational and rewarding."With Fondazione Milan, I witnessed poverty in Kenya and Morocco," he told Gazzetta."In Lebanon, I played football in the street with children. These are emotions that have completed me." 

For decades, the Defender has been a true icon of exploration and individualism. Recently, Qatar formed the backdrop to an exclusive luxury adventure road trip, which allowed guests to go further into the stunning landscapes and scenery, in an ‘amazing experience’ hosted by Alfardan Premier Motors Co, the official retailer of Jaguar Land Rover in Qatar. By exploring this incredible terrain from the privileged perspective of a Defender, guests were able to sample the special capabilities of this legendary vehicle, taking in desert tracks as well as other unforgettable paths off the beaten trail, a statement said. A city drive also highlighted the urban capabilities of the emblematic Defender: the ideal companion for such a varied adventure, as a paragon of robust strength and go-anywhere versatility. The guests took the Defender on a unique journey, starting from the JLR showroom at Burj Alfardan in Lusail city all the way to Al Majles Resort: a luxury boutique resort next to the glittering coast. On the way, the captivating route took in a wide variety of roads over both highways and desert, showcasing the Defender’s broad scope of unstoppable capabilities. As well as long-lasting memories, guests took away a dynamic experience that increased their knowledge and connection with the Defender: one of the four pillars that now makes up JLR’s ‘House of Brands’. More than an off-road vehicle, the Defender is an enduring icon; and this incredible journey through the rich heritage of Qatar highlights precisely why. The same values that underpin the Qatari way of life are also clearly present in the Defender: quality, trust, dependability, and a love of the great outdoors. Guests were able to participate in several traditional activities during the experience, reflecting the fabric of local culture within a thoroughly modern declination. The past met the future on this latest journey through time and space with the Defender, in a way that perfectly reflects the story of Qatar itself. As a result, guests had the opportunity to create some stunning and unique content that pays tribute to the art of driving exploration and the ever-evolving scenery of Qatar. Nasr Jairoudi, general manager for Alfardan Premier Motors, commented: “We were very excited to be hosting this wonderful event, designed to enhance the emotional connection that people feel with the iconic Defender, and the incredibly diverse landscapes and culture of Qatar. There is no better environment to demonstrate the amazing capabilities of the Defender thanks to its advanced technology, which at the same time allows its occupants to travel in perfect comfort and enjoy unparalleled modern luxury.”