Italy and AC Milan legend Franco Baresi is rightly regarded as one of the greatest defenders of all-time. We are delighted to offer you the opportunity to own his signed photograph.
Baresi signed for AC Milan at the age of 17 and stayed with them for his entire career. He made his debut in 1977, and went on to make an amazing 719 appearances in the famous black and red stripes of the Rossoneri, winning three European Cups and six Serie A titles.
Baresi became Milan captain at the age of just 22, having already won the 1982 World Cup with Italy, for whom he would play 82 times in total. He held onto the captain’s armband at Milan for his entire career, leading the fans to name him Il Capitano, a nickname which was later passed on to fellow defensive stalwart Paolo Maldini, who Baresi mentored himself.
During his time at the club, Baresi was the leader of what became revered as one of the meanest defences in world football. Together with Maldini, Alessandro Costacurta and Mauro Tassotti, Baresi gained a superb reputation. Il Capitano was a sweeper, but an attacking defender by nature. He was renowned for helping his team launch devastating counter-attacks without neglecting his defensive duties.
When Baresi finally retired in 1997 at the age of 37, the number 6 shirt he had worn throughout his AC Milan career was retired in his honour. Two years later, he was voted Milan’s ‘Player of the Century’, and in 2004, he was named Italian Player of the 20th Century.