Franco Baresi dies aged 66, major outlets and AC Milan report

Former AC Milan and Italy captain Franco Baresi has died aged 66, major international outlets report. Several organisations, including the BBC, ESPN and La Gazzetta dello Sport, say he has passed away.

AC Milan published an item titled "Franco Baresi Forever" on the club’s official website, the club indicates. The post appeared on the club site as coverage of the reports emerged and reflects the organisation’s public acknowledgement.

Goal.com had earlier reported that AC Milan denied claims that Baresi had died and described him as being in a "delicate" stage. That earlier item documented a club statement disputing initial reports of his death before the subsequent coverage from multiple international outlets.

Reporting from major outlets

Multiple leading news organisations reported Baresi’s death, citing their own sources and coverage. Those outlets include the BBC, ESPN and La Gazzetta dello Sport, which published accounts of his passing.

Club publication and prior denial

AC Milan’s official site published "Franco Baresi Forever," the club says, after Goal.com recorded an earlier denial in which the club described Baresi’s condition as "delicate." The sequence of notices and reports shows that conflicting accounts circulated publicly before the club’s commemorative post.

The reported developments mark a significant moment for Italian football, given Baresi’s long association with AC Milan and his role as a former national team captain. Further official details on circumstances and funeral arrangements have not yet been provided in the cited reports.