Franco Baresi’s return to Casa Milan was "better than a goal in the ninetieth minute," writes Monica Colombo in today’s Corriere della Sera. In August, the club announced the illness of the historic captain, after doctors found a lung nodule that was later removed through surgery.
From that moment, Baresi, with the discretion that has always marked him, stayed out of the public eye and began his fight to push the illness aside. In recent days he broke the silence with a warm “Viva la vita” on his social accounts, a post that stirred the entire Milan world, eager to show affection and support for their captain.
Last week brought another small step toward normal life, one with strong meaning. Baresi called his friend and colleague Daniele Massaro and told him he had a strong wish to return to Casa Milan. The former striker said, “He is my captain, I was among the first to receive the terrible news. I have done what I could these months to stay close to him and help him both practically and morally.”
When word spread inside the club headquarters that Baresi would return to his office, every employee took turns stopping by to give him a warm and heartfelt greeting. A small return to normal life that lifted the whole place.
The road to full recovery is not done yet, but Baresi wanted to taste a bit of normal life again. He will not be in the stands for tomorrow night’s derby against Inter, given the cold weather, but he is eager to return to the stadium and he looks forward to greeting the squad at Milanello. The hope is that he will do so soon, schedule permitting.
