Top 10 Fascinating Facts about Franco Baresi

Franco Baresi. Photo by Kurt Schorrer on Wikimedia

Top 10 Fascinating Facts about Franco Baresi

Born on 8^th May 1960, Franchino Baresi who is popularly known as Franco Baresi is an Italian football youth team coach. He is also a former player and top manager. His role during playtime was as a sweeper or a central defender.

Franco Baresi spent his 20 years career with Serie A club AC Milan where he captained the club for 15 seasons. Franco has always been considered one of the greatest defenders in the history of football and one of the greatest defenders of all time. He received a rank of 19 positions on World soccer magazine’s list. Franco Baresi won multiple trophies including 3 UEFA Champions League, 6 Serie A titles, 4 Supercoppa Italiana titles, 2 European Super Cups, and 2 Intercontinental Cups.

Here are the Top 10 Fascinating Facts about Franco Baresi:

1. Baresi Never Watched Football on TV Until He was 10

Franco Baresi in Monaco. Photo by Mbx on Wikimedia

Franco Baresi was born on 8^th May 1960 in a small North Italian town.  He grew up in a farmhouse on the outskirts of the small North Italian town, of Travagliato.  Franco Baresi grew up in a poor family who were never that well-off like other kids in his neighborhood.

His family never had a television set for him to be watching football matches. Franco Baresi never watched any football on television until he was ten years old.

2. Franco Baresi was Rejected by Internazionale Youth Club & Signed for Milan

Baresi was a talented soccer player as he grew up with his interest in the sport being noted from the age of 10. Franco Baresi is originally an AC Milan youth product but Milan was not his first option as he headed into his career.

Alongside his brother Giuseppe, Franco Baresi had gone for trials with the Internazionale youth team. However, Franco Baresi was rejected by Inter Milan who preferred Giuseppe over him.

He went ahead and became an important player for AC Milan in his soccer career. Franco Baresi made his senior debut at the age of 17 during the 1977-78 season on 23^rd April 1978.

3. Baresi & His Brother Captained their Teams and became a Trademark of Milan’s Derby

Franco Baresi and his brother, Giuseppe. Photo by Unknown author on Wikimedia

Franco Baresi became a very important player for AC Milan while Giuseppe was also an important player for Inter Milan. Baresi began his career in Milan’s starting eleven as a sweeper or a center-back and won the title in his debut season.

He was made captain of AC Milan later in his career and went ahead to captain the team for 15 seasons. On the other hand, Giuseppe was also made captain of Inter Milan. The brothers became a trademark of Milan’s derby della Madonnina throughout the 80s because of exchanging pennants.

4. Franco was a Runner-up for the Ballon d’Or 1989

Franco Baresi made his professional debut for Milan at the age of 17 as he played as a center-back. His first season was a success as he went ahead and won the Serie A title in his debut season with AC Milan.

However, as seasons went by, AC Milan was relegated to Serie B twice in the 1980s, but Franco Baresi who had become a top player never left the club. He continued his success at the club as well as at the international level with the Italian national team.

In 1989, Franco Baresi had a great season in which he made a huge achievement in his career. He became a runner-up to teammate Van Basten for the Ballon d’Or in 1989. Franco Baresi finished ahead of his teammate Frank Rijkaard in this competition for the Ballon d’Or.

5. Baresi Played Alongside Great Players at Milan

Franco Baresi during a reunion match. Photo by Andrea Morchio on Wikimedia

As AC Milan continued becoming successful after the failures in the 1980s and relegation, they got back to form again. The club started signing great players who played alongside Franco Baresi.

At the heart of Milan’s defense, Baresi played alongside Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Costacurta, Mauro Tassotti, and Christian Panucci. In the other positions, Franco Baresi also played with other top players at Milan.

In attack, there was the Dutch trio of Marco van Basten, Ruud Gullit, and Frank Rijkaard. Other international stars Franco Baresi played alongside include Roberto Donadoni, Carlo Ancelotti, Demetrio Albertini, Dejan Savićević, Zvonimir Boban, Marcel Desailly, George Weah, Jean-Pierre Papin, Brian Laudrup, Roberto Baggio.

6. He is Regarded as One of the Greatest Defenders of All-time

Other than being a top team player, Franco Baresi was also a very talented player and a top professional. He is regarded as one of the greatest defenders of all time in his entire 20-year career. Franco Baresi became a club legend at AC Milan where he spent his whole career.

He formed a formidable partnership with his fellow defenders at his club. Franco Baresi was a complete and consistent defender who was outstanding, intelligent and had pace as well as strength, tenacity, and stamina. The world soccer magazine ranked Franco Baresi in position 19 in the top 100 defenders of all time.

7. He Played for Italy’s National Team in 3 World Cups

Franco Baresi playing for the Italian side. Photo by Eduardo Biscayart on Wikimedia

At the international level, Franco Baresi played for the Italian national side where he was also successful. He represented Italy in three World Cups and several other competitive tournaments.

Franco Baresi was in the Italian squad that won the 1983 FIFA World Cup. He also played in the 1990 World Cup in which he was named to the FIFA World Cup All-Star Team. Baresi also played in the 1994 World Cup in which he captained his side.

8. Franco Baresi Won 22 Trophies in His Club Career

Franco Baresi was a serial trophy winner during his remarkable football career with AC Milan. He was a key player in his club and helped them win trophies. Baresi won twenty-two trophies in total during his club career.

He won 6 Serie A titles, 3 European Cup/UEFA Champions League titles, 2 Intercontinental Cups, 4 European Supercups, 4 Supercoppa Italiana, 2 Serie B titles, and a Mitropa Cup.

9. He is Featured in the EA Sports Video Game FIFA 14’s Classic Eleven

Panin card of Franco Baresi. Photo by Unknown author on Wikimedia

Due to his impressive career, Franco Baresi received global recognition for his impressive success in his football career. Other than the massive success and trophies he won, Baresi was also recognized for more football achievements.

He featured in the EA Sports football video game series FIFA 14’s Classic eleven. This is a multi-national all-star team alongside Bruno Conti, Gianni Rivera, and Giacinto Facchetti. Baresi was also named in the Ultimate Team Legends in FIFA 15.

10. Baresi was Recognised by Pelé in 2004

Franco Baresi is well recognized worldwide and is a great former footballer who achieved a lot. His recognition earned him a spot in the Italian Hall of Fame as well as on other platforms.

One of the greatest football legends also recognized Franco Baresi as one of the best players. Franco Baresi was named by Pelé as one of the 125 Greatest Living Footballers at the FIFA centenary awards ceremony in 2004.