Thousands of mourners gathered at the Sant'Ambrogio Basilica in Milan on Tuesday for the funeral of Franco Baresi, the AC Milan captain who died last week at age 66 following a period of ill health. Fans in red-and-black shirts lined the streets and sang 'You'll Never Walk Alone' as the coffin arrived for the 11 a.m. service, which was broadcast live on Italian television.
Former teammates and rivals attended, including Paolo Maldini, Marco van Basten, Clarence Seedorf, Roberto Baggio and Alessandro Costacurta, as well as former Inter defender Giuseppe Bergomi, who read the first lesson. Milan owner Gerry Cardinale and president Paolo Scaroni represented the club. Mayor Giuseppe Sala declared a day of civic mourning, with flags flown at half-mast across municipal buildings.
Baresi captained Milan for 15 seasons, making 719 appearances and winning six Serie A titles and three European Cups. A 1982 World Cup winner with Italy, his number six shirt was retired upon his retirement in 1997.