Franco Baresi - A Detailed Overview
Early Life
Franco Baresi was born on May 8, 1960 in Travagliato, Italy. Growing up in a family with a footballing tradition, his passion for the sport was nurtured from a young age. His older brother, Giuseppe Baresi, also became a professional footballer.
Starting His Career
At age of 14, Baresi joined the youth team of A.C. Milan, one of the most successful clubs in Italian football history. Despite initially being overlooked due to his small stature, his exceptional talent and dedicated mentality saw him progress quickly through the ranks. He made his first team debut against Verona on April 23, 1978, aged just 18.
Early Success
Baresi quickly made an impact at Milan, helping the club earn a Serie A title in his first full season, 1978-1979. His impeccable defensive abilities and leadership skills made him a crucial part of the team, and he was appointed team captain in 1982.
Dominating Italian Soccer
Together with legendary defenders Mauro Tassotti, Alessandro Costacurta and Paolo Maldini, Baresi formed one of the best defensive lines in the history of Italian football. His extraordinary instinct and technical skills, along with incredible decision making, helped Milan to dominate both domestic and international stages during the 1980s and 1990s.
International Career
Baresi earned his first cap for Italy on April 5, 1982, against East Germany. He went on to represent Italy in three World Cups - 1982, 1990 and 1994. Though he was part of the 1982 World Cup winning squad, he did not play a game during the tournament. However, he was a central figure in Italy's 1990 World Cup campaign in which they finished third, and in the 1994 edition where they finished as runners-up, with Baresi's penalty miss in the final shootout proving decisive.
Injuries and Retirement
In the later part of his career, Baresi suffered a major knee injury which required surgery. Despite recovering and returning to his top form, his performances after that were affected. He decided to retire from professional football in 1997, after 20 years with Milan. His last match was against his long-time rivals Internazionale on October 28, 1997.
Legacy
Franco Baresi is widely regarded as one of the greatest defenders in the history of the sport. His one-club career at Milan saw him make 719 appearances and score 33 goals. He won numerous titles with the club including six Serie A championships, three Champions League titles, four Supercoppa Italiana, two Intercontinental Cups and one Serie B title. In 2013, Baresi was inducted into the Italian Football Hall of Fame, and his number 6 shirt has been retired by Milan in honour of his contributions to the club.
Post Retirement Career
After retiring from playing, Baresi moved into coaching. He held various positions at Milan, including youth team coach and technical director. He also managed Fulham in England for a brief period in 2000. Despite not achieving great success in management, Baresi's knowledge and passion for football have continued to bring him respect in the football world.
