Franco Baresi: AC Milan Shaped My Life and Career
AC Milan legend Franco Baresi recently opened up about his deep-rooted connection to the club and how it profoundly influenced his life and career. In a candid interview, the former defender shared insights into his journey with the Rossoneri and his experiences after retiring from professional football.
Baresi, who joined Milan’s youth academy at age 14, described his first visit to the club’s training ground as “entering paradise.” He revealed that Milan became a source of strength and purpose after losing both his parents as a teenager. “Milan welcomed me and gave meaning to everything,” Baresi explained. “I channeled my grief into determination and anger, which fueled my entire career.”
The Italian icon emphasized the uniqueness of his relationship with Milan, stating, “My story with Milan is hard to replicate. There are very few bonds like this in football.” Baresi credits the club for giving his life direction and helping him achieve success during Arrigo Sacchi’s tenure as manager.
Following his retirement, Baresi briefly served as a Milan director before accepting a role as technical director at Fulham. However, his time in England was short-lived. “In reality, it was just a month,” Baresi admitted. “By the end of August, I was already back in Milan. I realized that environment wasn’t for me, and to be honest, I never truly started working there. The connection to Milan was never severed.”
Baresi eventually returned to AC Milan, taking on various roles before being appointed honorary vice president in 2020. He spoke fondly of his humanitarian work with the Milan Foundation, describing visits to Kenya, Morocco, and Lebanon as emotionally fulfilling experiences that “completed me on a personal level.”
Reflecting on his enduring relationship with the club, Baresi said, “There has always been mutual respect between Milan and me, through good times and bad. My focus was always on the team and the club, never on myself, but everything always came back to me tenfold. I was fortunate to meet the right people at the right moments.”
When asked about inspiring younger players, Baresi humbly replied, “I’m not sure, you’d have to ask them. But I notice that Milan players always look at me with great respect. During a recent tour in New Jersey, it was clear they understand who I am and what I’ve done for the club. Giving advice to today’s 20-year-olds isn’t easy though. We have different reference points and see things differently.”
As Baresi’s interview demonstrates, his connection to AC Milan remains as strong as ever, having shaped not only his career but his entire life.