An eternal name for an eternal place
Among the many ways AC Milan and its supporters can honour the memory of Franco Baresi, one proposal in particular is gaining attention and approval: dedicating San Siro’s Curva Sud to the great Rossoneri captain, or at least naming a section of the stadium after him. A symbolic yet powerful initiative, capable of transforming a physical space into a living monument to the legend of the number 6.
The Curva Sud, always the beating heart of Milanista support, has consistently shown a genuine and visceral affection for Baresi. Unlike other historic figures at the club, the captain was always revered by the organised supporters, who recognised him as one of the founding values of what it means to be a Milanista. Naming it after him would, in this sense, be a natural — almost inevitable — act.
The San Siro issue: a stadium shared with Inter
There is, however, a significant technical obstacle: San Siro is shared between AC Milan and Inter. Any permanent changes to the structure or the naming of its spaces would require an agreement between the two clubs, as well as with the city authorities. Not a straightforward process, and one that could delay or complicate the realisation of the initiative in its most immediate form.
The alternatives: Casa Milan and Milanello
If San Siro proves too complex a path, there are concrete and equally meaningful alternatives. Casa Milan, the club’s official headquarters on Via Aldo Rossi, and Milanello, the sports centre in Carnago where generations of Rossoneri champions have trained, are places fully within the club’s control. Naming a training pitch after Franco Baresi, or commissioning a statue or commemorative artwork at one of these locations, would be gestures of enormous and lasting value.
A statue at Milanello, in particular, would carry profound meaning: it would stand there, before the eyes of today’s and tomorrow’s players, as a daily reminder of what it means to wear the Milan shirt with dedication, sacrifice and unconditional love. A quiet but incredibly powerful example.
Baresi and the derby: a spirit that never fades
It is no coincidence that this proposal is emerging now, just days before the derby against Inter scheduled for 5 August. For decades, Baresi was the quintessential Rossoneri symbol — perhaps especially so in the city derbies. His name will ring loud at the next derby, which will inevitably become an occasion for a collective tribute to the captain.
Whether it is a stand, a pitch or a statue, what matters is that Milan never forgets Franco Baresi. The city that welcomed him, the shirt he honoured for his entire career, the supporters who loved him: all of this deserves a tangible, visible and permanent mark. A captain like him cannot be remembered only in history books — he must live on in the places he made great. Because Franco Baresi is, and will forever remain, the Captain.
