Franco Baresi, the former Milan and Italy defender, has died at the age of 66. Baresi was a prominent figure in Italian football during the 1980s and 1990s.
Last year, Baresi's former club, where he served as honorary vice president, reported he had undergone surgery to remove a pulmonary nodule. He had also been prescribed recovery treatment by a cancer specialist.
AC Milan expressed their sorrow, stating, "The entire history of AC Milan is in tears following the passing of Franco Baresi." The club added that his example and integrity, along with his iconic No 6 shirt, will be permanently etched into the club's DNA.
Baresi spent his entire 20-year playing career with AC Milan, captaining the team for 15 seasons before his retirement in 1997. He won six Serie A titles and three top European trophies with the club. Milan retired his No 6 shirt, an honour making him the first player in the club's history to receive it.
He was part of the Italy squad that won the 1982 World Cup and captained the team to the 1994 final. In February, Baresi was a torchbearer for the Olympic flame at the opening ceremony for the Milano Cortina Winter Games.