At a time when Italian football was known for the excellence of its defensive systems, Franco Baresi, who has died aged 66 after a period of ill health, embodied its most prized qualities. Whether with AC Milan, his only club during his two decades as a professional, or Italy, with whom he reached the 1994 World Cup final, he was a stylish, quick-witted, unflappable and commanding presence, primus inter pares alongside distinguished colleagues.
Captaining Milan for 15 of his 20 seasons at San Siro, he won the European Cup twice and the Serie A championship six times, a key figure alongside such glittering names as Gianni Rivera, Ruud Gullit, Paolo Maldini, Marco van Basten, Dejan Savićević, Carlo Ancelotti, George Weah and Zvonimir Boban. With his fellow centre-back Alessandro Costacurta, the right-back Mauro Tassotti and Maldini at left-back, he formed a legendary defensive line.
