Speaking exclusively to Goal after being named as one of AC Milan's top 20 players of all time, the iconic defender reflects on his two decades at San Siro
When Franco Baresi was 15, he and his brother Giuseppe went for a a trial with Inter. The Nerazzurri signed up Giuseppe but were unconvinced by Franco physically, deciding to take another look at him in a year's time. By that stage, though, he had already joined Inter's city rivals, AC Milan, with whom Franco would become one of the greatest defenders the game has ever seen.
Indeed, he won his first Serie A title at the age of 18. Then determined to repay Milan's faith in him, he stood by the Rossoneri despite two subsequent relegations in the early 1980s, and his loyalty was fully rewarded, with Baresi going on to marshall arguably the greatest defence ever assembled. Playing alongside Mauro Tassotti, Alessandro Costacurta and Paolo Maldini, the Milan captain lifted back-to-back European Cups, in 1989 and 1990.
Here, in an exclusive interview with Goal, Baresi discusses his two decades at San Siro and reflects upon how the game has changed since he hung up his boots.
Goal: How does it feel to have been named as one of the 20 best players in the history of AC Milan?
Baresi: "Obviously it pleases me. It's confirmation that I did something good for this club. It's a source of pride to know that people still remember me. I cannot say that I expected it but it's also true that in my 20 years at Milan, we won a lot, so I think this has counted in my favour. Anyway, it's still a great satisfaction."
G: What is the most beautiful memory of your time in the Milan jersey?
B: "There are so many, as I spent my whole footballing career at Milan, from when I was a boy until the end. From my debut to lifting important trophies, there were moments of great emotion. Everything that I experienced as a Rossonero was wonderful. Obviously, that first European Cup [in 1989] was a particularly special feeling, but I cannot even overlook the two years that we spent in Serie B (1980-81, 1982-83), as they were just as important as the others."
G: Is there a player that best embodied the values of Milan after your retirement, in 1997?
B: "There have been many - because some time has passed since then! However, I passed the baton to Paolo Maldini, who, after I retired, played for another 12 years at an incredibly high level, conducting himself in an exemplary manner on the field, as a true captain, but also off it. We can, therefore, say that the transition was completely painless, as I left the captain's armband in very good hands."
G: Could we maybe say that Milan are currently lacking a figure as charismatic as yourself and Paolo?
B: "Well, this is not for me to say and I don't want to get into these kinds of things. Football today has changed and it's pointless to make comparisons between such different eras. Everything has really changed from my day, so it's impossible to make comparisons."
G: However, is it true that such icons no longer exist in modern football?
B: "I wouldn't say so. There are still some. But it's true that football has changed a lot. The interests, the opportunities and the pressures are different now. For so many reasons, one can change teams more easily compared to long ago and it's much more difficult for a player to remain at one club for his entire career. I'm not saying that it's right or wrong, it's just an observation. And it just confirms what I said before, that it is impossible to make comparisons because we are talking about two very different eras of football."
- Goal