Legendary AC Milan and Italy defender Franco Baresi has died at the age of 66.

Axar.az reports that, according to the Milan club, he had been battling a serious illness.

Baresi spent his entire professional career at AC Milan between 1978 and 1997, making 719 appearances. During that time, he won six Serie A titles, three European Cups (now the UEFA Champions League), and two Intercontinental Cups, while serving as the club's captain for 15 years. Following his retirement, Milan retired his iconic No. 6 shirt.

At international level, Baresi earned 81 caps for Italy, winning the 1982 FIFA World Cup and captaining the Azzurri to the 1994 World Cup final.