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Franco
Baresi
(Italy)
Franco
Baresi, born in Travagliato, is one of very few
players at top international level to have spent an
entire career at one club. He made his debut for AC
Milan in 1978 and won the Serie A already in his first
full season the following year. Franco was one of
these players that didn’t look very impressive
physically compared to what you would expect from a
central defender. He usually operated as a sweeper
behind the defensive line, and controlled the pace of
the game from there. He read the game impressively
well, which was the main reason to why he was so
outstanding.
It took some time for
him to break into the national team because Enzo
Bearzot, the coach at the time, preferred the Juventus
trio Cabrini, Gentile and Scirea in defence. The
latter occupied the sweeper’s position in the World
Cup winning team of 1982. Baresi was included in that
squad, but never played a minute in Spain which he
didn’t like. He then rejected to play for Italy as
long as Bearzot was in charge which made him miss the
1986 World Cup. Bearzot then retired and Baresi once
again said yes to the Azzurri. Italy reached the
semifinals at Euro 88, Franco’s first tournament
with Italy, and another semifinal in their own World
Cup in 1990. Italy lost to Argentina on penalties, but
beat England in the bronzematch.
Baresi was captain when
Italy travelled to America for the World Cup in 1994.
At 34, he knew this was his last chance to win the
World Cup, but an injury in the first round against
Norway made him miss several matches and he wasn’t
ready until the final against Brazil, where he played
the game of his life. Brazil evenutally won on
penalties and Franco missed one of the penalties for
Italy. It was his 81st and final match for Italy.
He played three more
years for Milan before retiring, having won six Serie
A championships, three European Cups and two World
Club Cups among his many titles. AC Milan paid tribute
to him by making his number 6 jersey immortal. No
player in the future will ever wear that jersey again
for Milan.
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