Dejan Savicevic finds it baffling that the late Franco Baresi was by no means recognised with a Ballon d’Or trophy and has laid the blame for that by the hands of journalists who didn’t vote for the long-lasting former Rossoneri captain within the voting process.
Savicevic on Baresi: ‘He had soccer working by way of him, how may they not give him the Ballon d’Or?’
Tributes proceed to roll in for the legendary Baresi, who not too long ago died on the age of 66.
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Milan icons from numerous generations will congregate within the metropolis on Tuesday for Baresi’s funeral. Savicevic might be among the many attendees, and he stopped to talk about his former captain in an in-depth interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport that was printed on Sunday.
“He was an excellent particular person, an excellent man. He was an excellent teammate and an exquisite participant. He had soccer working by way of him, he understood every little thing and had an unbelievable imaginative and prescient of the sport,” Savicevic recalled.
“San Siro used to sing: ‘One capitano, there’s just one capitano’. It was great to hearken to these chants, they gave us goosebumps, it gave everybody a lift.
1 Apr 1995: Roberto Baggio (left) of Juventus takes on Franco Baresi (proper) of AC Milan throughout a Serie A match on the San Siro Stadium in Milan, Italy. Juventus received the match 2-0. Necessary Credit score: Allsport UK /Allsport
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“I at all times knew who he was, a really sturdy and well-known defender. He was extremely regarded at Crimson Star and in Yugoslavia. Then we met within the European Cup in 1988, first in San Siro after which in Belgrade.”
Some have steered that Baresi might even rank increased than Franz Beckenbauer within the recreation’s checklist of all-time defensive greats.
“I solely watched Beckenbauer together with his nationwide crew, I used to be a child, I’ve distant recollections,” Savicevic admitted. “Baresi was like him. He and Paolo Maldini have been the best on this planet. Franco received a lot and he may have received much more.”
Some have steered that Baresi can be among the many checklist of best gamers to have by no means been recognised with a Ballon d’Or.
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“That is certainly one of them,” stated Savicevic. “Come on, that is a disgrace. How may you not give the Ballon d’Or to Baresi? However that is your fault,” he teased La Gazzetta dello Sport.
He clarified: “You journalists. You did not vote for him, solely the Dutch gamers (from Milan) received. Rijkaard at all times completed in entrance of him in first place.
9 Dec 1992: AC Milan Gamers Demetrio Albertini, Ruud Gullit, Frank Rijkaard and Marco Van Basten type a wall within the European Cup match in opposition to PSV Eindhoven. AC Milan received the match 2-1. Necessary Credit score: Chris Cole/Allsport
“Now, with all due respect to Rijkaard, we’re speaking a few midfielder with good passing, a very good footballer, however Baresi was one thing else. He was a phenomenon. Do not speak to me in regards to the Ballon d’Or, that irks me.”
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Solely three defenders have ever received the Ballon d’Or: The aforementioned Beckenbauer (twice), Matthias Sammer and Italy’s 2006 World Cup-winning captain Fabio Cannavaro.
“However not Franceo Baresi, one of many best defenders within the historical past of soccer,” Savicevic continued.
“I am not saying it is a disgrace, however they weren’t like Baresi. He had one other nice high quality in him as effectively: He did not take something too severely. He’d say ‘okay, come on, let’s neglect it. Assume positively’. He was a pacesetter, he handed that on to everybody.”
MILAN, ITALY – DECEMBER 15: Franco Baresi seems to be on throughout the Serie A match between AC Milan and Genoa at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on December 15, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photograph by Marco Luzzani/Getty Photos)
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Savicevic went on to debate his relationship with Baresi in even higher element: “He helped everybody, I at all times felt near him. He did not speak an excessive amount of, however he was at all times there.
“I had a little bit of a disaster within the early days. I wasn’t taking part in, I used to be homesick. Franco gave me a hug and consoled me by saying ‘come on Dean, be affected person, there are a whole lot of us right here, we’re all good’. I needed to go away and he informed me: ‘However the place do you wish to go? We’re right here at Milan, the place may you’re feeling any higher? Do not get indignant, do not quit’.”
