Milan will pay tribute to Franco Baresi ahead of the friendly match against Inter, as his funeral will be on Tuesday, but there is an emotional reason why Zlatan Ibrahimovic won’t among the legends present.
The iconic captain who spent his entire playing career with one club passed away over the weekend at the age of 66.
Advertisement
In normal circumstances, the entire squad and coaching staff would be in attendance for the funeral, but they are currently in Australia for a pre-season tour.
Baresi funeral in Milan on Tuesday
BEIJING, CHINA – JULY 6: (CHINA OUT) Franco Baresi, formerly of AC Milan, attends a press conference to help promote the new “Milan Junior Camp” on July 6, 2006 in Beijing, China. (Photo by China Photos/Getty Images)
The service is scheduled for Tuesday August 4 at 11.00 local time at the Sant’Ambrogio Basilica in Milan.
Among those expected are Milan President Paolo Scaroni, owner Gerry Cardinale, CEO Massimo Calvelli, former teammates Paolo Maldini, Marco van Basten, Dejan Savicevic, Demetrio Albertini, Sebastiano Rossi, Gianluca Zambrotta, Daniele Massaro, Alberico Evani, Roberto Donadoni and Pietro Paolo Virdis.
Advertisement
Santiago Gimenez and Christian Pulisic are the only players not to have travelled to Australia due to injury.
Other clubs such as Inter, Barcelona and Real Madrid are also sending delegations, and the funeral will be shown live on Italian television station Rete 4.
1 Apr 1995: Roberto Baggio (left) of Juventus takes on Franco Baresi (right) of AC Milan during a Serie A match at the San Siro Stadium in Milan, Italy. Juventus won the match 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Allsport UK /Allsport
There has been some rumbling on social media that Ibrahimovic has not commented publicly on Baresi’s passing, nor is he likely to be in attendance at the funeral.
Advertisement
However, this is because since losing his brother Sapko in 2014 to leukaemia, Ibrahimovic has been extremely private about his grief, deciding to express himself only in person and with those he cares most about.
This is why there was no message on social media when losing his long-time agent Mino Raiola, even after sitting by his hospital bed, and legendary Milan President Silvio Berlusconi.
The Milan team in Perth will remember Baresi too, wearing black armbands and holding a minute’s silence before the match with Inter, but also displaying video of his great triumphs in the stadium.
There is also a choreography planned in the stands so that the fans can pay tribute to the eternal captain.
Read the full article here