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Maldini honors Baresi as greatest footballer he played alongside

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 31, 2026, 9:20 AM

Last updated Jul 31, 2026

Maldini honors Baresi as greatest footballer he played alongside

Summary

Paolo Maldini pays tribute to Franco Baresi, who has died at the age of 66. Maldini, a former teammate at AC Milan and the Italy national team, expressed deep admiration for Baresi's influence throughout his career. In an emotional message on Instagram, he reminisced about Baresi's leadership and impact on his life, stating, 'You were the greatest footballer I have ever had the honour of playing alongside.' Baresi enjoyed a legendary career at Milan, making 719 appearances and securing numerous titles. Following surgery in August 2025, Baresi began a course of immunotherapy.

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By the Numbers

•Franco Baresi passed away at the age of 66.
•Paolo Maldini shared a tribute highlighting Baresi's impact on his career.
•Baresi made 719 appearances for AC Milan and won several trophies.
•He was part of Italy's World Cup-winning team in 1982.

Latest Updates

9:20 AMYahoo Sports — Maldini: Baresi was ‘the greatest footballer I ever played alongside’

What they're saying

"
Milan legend Paolo Maldini pays tribute to Franco Baresi: ‘You protected me when I was a child, guided me as a young man, and inspired me as an adult. You were the greatest footballer I have ever ha...
— Yahoo Sports

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