During the early afternoon in Perth, Australia, head coach Ruben Amorim and vice-captain Matteo Gabbia paid tribute to Franco Baresi at a mural depicting the legendary Milan captain alongside Ruud Gullit on the streets of the city. The Rossoneri delegation laid a wreath beneath the artwork before observing a few moments of silence.
At the end of the brief yet meaningful ceremony, Matteo Gabbia spoke to Sky Sport 24.
This was a fitting tribute on behalf of the entire team...
"Absolutely. It was something we simply had to do, first and foremost for the man, before even the extraordinary footballer and champion that Captain Franco Baresi was for every Milan fan and for all lovers of sport. As a team, as a coaching staff and as a group, we extend our deepest condolences to Franco's family, his wife and his children, and we send them all our love. We are deeply saddened that we cannot attend the funeral, but our thoughts are entirely with the family and we stand beside them."
What is your personal memory of Baresi? Gabbia said:
"I will always cherish the moments we shared and the privilege of having known an icon, a truly unique person who, until his very last moments, showed us just how important this club is and how much commitment is required every single day to deserve wearing this shirt. We were fortunate enough to know him, and he taught us these values even through the smallest gestures. Those are the lessons we must keep in our hearts and carry with us forever."
Is there a particular story about Franco that stands out?
"Recently, I had the chance to speak with a lady who works at the club and had a close relationship with him. She told me that, even though he wasn't well, he still had a genuine desire to be close to us, to meet the coach and the new staff. He wanted to come and wish us a good season. We are saddened that it wasn't possible, but it made me realise that after everything he had done and everything he had given to this club, he still wanted to play an active role and be important for us. We must truly understand how much these colours meant to him. If we can give even half of what he gave to this shirt, it would be a great success for all of us."
