60 MESSAGES FOR FRANCO BARESI'S 60TH
Celebration
A true icon of Italian sports but above all AC Milan's unrivalled symbol. Today Franco Baresi turns 60 and for 46 years he has been wearing the Rossoneri colors on his skin. A very special birthday for him and for all the Milanisti, his age now contains the number 6, his shirt number. A shirt he wore with class and elegance in hundreds of games around the world that then became a legend. In 1997 the Club's number 6 shirt was withdrawn in his honor, but a massive 6 still continues to wave on one of the historic flags that flies over the Curva Sud at San Siro.
Such a unique occasion had to be celebrated in a special way. A video published on AC Milan's official platforms gathers 60 happy birthday greetings from many former teammates who shared with Franco the triumphs of that invincible AC Milan. Together with the greetings from the Rossoneri management many entertainment and sports personalities sent their best wishes to the Captain. From Ivan Gazidis to Laura Pausini, from Paolo Maldini, Adriano Galliani, Marco Van Basten to George Weah, they all wanted to show their fondness for the person and to pay their respect to his legendary career.
Here are a few:
Ivan Gazidis: "I am honoured to work with one of my heroes in the world of football, one of the most important people in the history of our Club. Happy Birthday dear Franco, sempre e solo Milan."
Paolo Scaroni: "Franco, a big virtual hug for your birthday. 60 years old is just a beginning for a smart person like you. We never met when you were playing, but I watched you plow through the pitches and I admired you immensely as I still do today. Your dignity, loyalty and fair play is unchanged. You have always been a great man on and off the pitch. A big hug."
Paolo Maldini: "Dear Franco, happy birthday for your 60th, an impressive achievement. It's amazing to think how long it's been since we first met. In all these years they have called you in many ways, Franz, Piscinin .. but you have always been the Captain for me! From the first day I arrived in Milanello, I looked at you as an example I had to follow. The way you are has always impressed me and taught me a lot: Deeds not words!. Grande Franco, a big hug and best wishes my friend."
Arrigo Sacchi: "Dear Franco, many best wishes for your first 60 years. Best wishes from someone who was so lucky to be able to train you, who is very thankful, grateful and who is very fond of you. Thanks for all you've done and may your life always be full of all the satisfactions you deserve."
Carlo Ancelotti: "Dear Franco, I am thrilled to wish you a very happy birthday. We are now in our sixties and this means we have many good memories and we share a lot of fantastic ones. A hug big and best wishes."
Marco Van Basten: "The Johann Cruijff of the defenders. He led the Rossoneri backline in a great and elegant way. He was calm and shy, but on the pitch he was a warrior and a winner. He was agile and quick in small spaces, ruthless if necessary. His hunger to win and quest for victory were unique. He was also very gifted with the ball, a very skilled and intuitive added value. Today he turns 60, a phenomenon: happy birthday Franco."
Adriano Galliani: "Happy birthday dear Franco. I met you when you were 25 year old, an extraordinary champion, a top player, one of the best in the world. With you and thanks to you we have reached the top of the world, we won championships, Champions Leagues, Super Cups... An extraordinary career. Today you turn 60, a life entirely dedicated to AC Milan, congratulations Captain. For us, for president Berlusconi, for me, you are and will be, THE number 6 forever."
Franco Baresi retraces his woulderful story with the Rossoneri in a long interview that will be aired on AC Milan's channels. From 2.00pm today, the Captain will be live on Sky Sport 24, at Casa Sky Sport to share this special day with all the Rossoneri fans.
