AC Milan were forced into an unusual and uncomfortable statement on Wednesday night, publicly denying false reports that had begun circulating on social media claiming that club legend Franco Baresi had died.
The rumours, which spread quickly across Italian social platforms, prompted the club to intervene directly rather than let the false claims linger. Milan's official statement was blunt: it denied "the false reports concerning Franco Baresi that have begun circulating in recent minutes," adding that "Franco is going through a difficult and delicate time, and the club stands firmly alongside him and his family," while asking for his privacy to be respected.
Baresi, 66, is one of the most decorated defenders in football history. He spent his entire 20-year playing career at Milan between 1977 and 1997, captaining the club for 15 of those seasons, and won three European Cups (1989, 1990 and 1994) along with six Serie A titles. He also captained Italy to the final of the 1994 World Cup. Since 2020 he has served as the club's honorary vice-president.
The panic around his health traces back to last August, when Baresi underwent surgery to remove a nodule from his lung after routine examinations flagged the issue. The operation was described as successful, with no complications in his recovery, though doctors recommended a course of immunotherapy afterwards. Baresi himself said at the time that he would "need some time to get back in shape," thanking Milan and supporters for their encouragement.
He was seen back at San Siro in December, attending a Milan match as he continued his recovery, which had offered some reassurance to fans before this week's false alarm reignited concern.
Milan's decision to issue a formal club statement, rather than leave the denial to individuals close to Baresi, underlines how seriously the club took the spread of the misinformation and its sensitivity given his ongoing health situation.
ONE reports that among those initially caught out was Italian deputy prime minister and prominent Milan supporter Matteo Salvini, who posted a tribute to Baresi online before deleting it once the false premise became clear.
