AC Milan and Italian football are rallying around club icon Franco Baresi. The legendary Rossoneri and Italy captain, now the club’s honorary vice-president, has undergone surgery to remove a lung nodule.
AC Milan confirmed that “following routine check-ups, a lung nodule was detected on our Honorary Vice-President, Franco Baresi. The decision was made to proceed with removal via minimally invasive surgery.” The club stated the “operation was successful and the post-operative recovery has been free of complications.” Baresi has since been evaluated by an oncologist, who recommended follow-up immunotherapy.
The club expressed solidarity: “The entire Board of Directors, Management, staff, technical team, and all Milan players send Franco sincere and affectionate wishes for a swift and complete recovery. Captain, we are all with you!”
Baresi personally addressed fans via the club’s announcement: “Dear supporters, I want to inform you it will take me some time to get back in shape. Thank you to Milan and all of you for your support and encouragement. With affection, a hug.” Social media overflowed with well-wishes for the historic captain, with an Instagram post surpassing 1,700 responses.
Baresi, honorary vice-president since 2020, played for Milan for 20 consecutive seasons (1977-1997), captaining the side for 15 years. With 719 official appearances, he is the club’s second-most capped player after Paolo Maldini. His trophy haul includes 6 Serie A titles, 3 European Cups, 2 Intercontinental Cups, 2 UEFA Super Cups, and 4 Italian Super Cups. Voted “Milanista of the Century” by fans in 1999 and inducted into the Italian Football Hall of Fame in 2013, Baresi also won the 1982 World Cup with Italy and was a standout player at USA 1994, remarkably starting the final just 25 days after meniscus surgery.