Footballing royalty flock to AC Milan and Italy legend Franco Baresi’s funeral as thousands of fans line streets

FOOTBALL legends arrived in Milan today for the funeral of AC Milan hero Franco Baresi. Thousands of Italian fans lined the streets to honour the ex-defender, who died at the age of 66 last week following a period of ill health. Thousands of Italian fans lined the streets to honour Franco Baresi Credit: Getty The AC Milan legend’s funeral took place at Sant’Ambrogio Basilica Credit: Getty Fans paid tribute by holding up AC Milan scarves and shirts Credit: Reuters Former AC Milan midfielder Clarence Seedorf was in attendance Credit: Getty Many paid tribute by holding up AC Milan scarves and shirts with Baresi’s iconic No6 on the back. The funeral service took place at Sant’Ambrogio Basilica, a church located in the centre of Milan. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! And several AC Milan icons attended to pay their respects. Paolo Maldini, Marco van Basten, Clarence Seedorf, Roberto Baggio, Dida and Alessandro Costacurta were among those invited to the service. AC Milan forward Christian Pulisic – who is still on his summer break following the World Cup – also attended. The club will pay tribute to Baresi on Wednesday ahead of their friendly against Inter Milan in Australia. Baresi, one of football’s greatest ever defenders, won six Serie A titles, three Champions Leagues and the World Cup during his glittering career. AC Milan confirmed the news of his passing last week with a statement which read: “Announcing the loss of someone who embodied the heart and soul of AC Milan, is incredibly difficult. Most read in Sport Paolo Maldini and Marco Van Basten (R) also arrived at the church to pay their respects Credit: Getty Dida was in attendance Credit: Getty Claudio Ranieri paid tribute at the church Credit: Getty AC Milan forward Christian Pulisic, who is still on his summer break following the World Cup, also attended Credit: Getty “But everyone at the club and all the Milanisti must live up to Franco Baresi’s memory. “We must be strong and gather every bit of energy, even at this saddest of times. “We lost Franco only a few months after his last public appearance in a packed San Siro, at the Milan Winter Olympics opening ceremony, an event on the world stage he helped make unforgettable. “In memory of Franco, we stand united, knowing he’ll guide and push us throughout our Rossoneri journey. Forever. Because Baresi is forever.” Thousands of fans also surrounded the Sant’Ambrogio Basilica Credit: Getty Comment now