Tuesday, August 4th, 2026 is the day of the final farewell to Franco Baresi, the Captain who wrote the history of AC Milan and Italian football. The Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio in Milan will open its doors to a deeply moved crowd: supporters from every corner of Italy and from abroad will gather around the family and the memory of a man who represented far more than just a footballer.
A Historic Ceremony: Who Will Be There
Gerry Cardinale, club owner, president Paolo Scaroni and the entire club leadership will be in attendance, including Barbara Calvelli. Alongside them, employees of Casa Milan, Milanello and Vismara, reflecting how deeply Baresi was woven into the fabric of the club. AC Milan will also be represented by delegations from all the male and female youth teams.
The emotional backdrop will be provided by the great champions who shared triumphs and memories with Baresi: Alessandro Costacurta, Paolo Maldini, Ruud Gullit and Marco Van Basten, among the most eagerly anticipated. The bond between these legends has remained unbreakable over the years, and their presence at the ceremony speaks volumes about a friendship and mutual respect that goes well beyond the football pitch.
Leading civil and football institutions are also expected: the Mayor of Milan, Giuseppe Sala, delegations from Italian and international clubs, including Real Madrid and Barcelona, who have confirmed their official representation. A recognition that speaks to how the name of Baresi resonates with reverence far beyond the borders of Milan.
Pulisic and Giménez: The First Team’s Representatives
The first team is currently on tour in Australia, but AC Milan could not be left without a face to represent them. That role will fall to Christian Pulisic and Santiago Giménez, the only two first-team players remaining in Milan as they continue their injury rehabilitation at Milanello. Their presence at the funeral carries deep meaning — bringing the heart of the squad to the place where Milan’s heartbeat is strongest.
For more on the conditions of both players, read our article: AC Milan Injury Update: Gila Still Out, Pulisic and Giménez Target Serie A Opener.
The On-Pitch Tribute: The Derby in Mourning
The day after the funeral, Wednesday August 5th, the pre-season friendly Milan vs Inter is scheduled. The Milan derby will take on a very special significance: both teams will wear black armbands, a minute of silence will be observed before kick-off, and images and moments from Baresi’s career will be broadcast on the stadium screens. A heartfelt tribute, carried out through sport.
Just hours before the funeral, manager Sérgio Conceição and defender Matteo Gabbia laid a wreath of flowers beneath a mural painted in 2024, depicting Baresi and Gullit — two absolute icons of Milan’s golden era.
The Live Broadcast and Private Lying-in-State
For those who cannot be physically present at the Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio, Franco Baresi’s funeral will be broadcast live on Rete 4: the Mediaset networks will ensure that supporters, both in Italy and abroad, can participate in this collective moment of remembrance.
The lying-in-state, meanwhile, has been arranged in private, reserved for family members and those closest to Baresi — a choice of absolute respect for the family and their most intimate grief.
The Curva Sud and the Number 6
The Curva Sud, always the stand most closely associated with Baresi, will be present in full force at the ceremony. Milan fans have always shared a special bond with their Captain: in the past the stand regularly displayed the banner bearing number 6, the shirt number the club retired permanently in his honour. That shirt will never be worn by another Rossoneri player — an eternal tribute to the man who turned defending into an art form.
Milan stops. AC Milan stops. And with them, all of Italian football stops to give one last embrace to Franco Baresi, the Captain who never ceases to inspire.
