Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has hailed AC Milan icon Franco Baresi for delivering the GOAT performance by any centre-back in a single football match.
Baresi, 61, spent his entire remarkable club playing career at Milan and lifted six Serie A titles, a Champions League, two European Cups and two Serie B trophies.
The Italian legend enjoyed a prolific career on the international stage with his country, with Baresi lifting the World Cup in 1982.
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Baresi came close to a second World Cup triumph with Italy in 1994, but he fell short in the final after a penalty shootout defeat to eventual winners Brazil.
The ex-Milan defender missed his penalty in the final at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, with Roberto Baggio and Daniele Massaro also failing to convert from the spot-kick.
Baresi returned for Italy in the final after undergoing surgery on a knee injury he picked up earlier in the 1994 World Cup.
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Responding to a tweet asking what is the best performance from a centre-back in a single match, Carragher said: “It’s [Baresi] in the 1994 World Cup final v Brazil!
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“Up against Romario [and] Bebeto in his first game back after a knee op which he had after the [first] game of the tournament!”
Baresi, who is regarded as one of the best defenders of all time, made a staggering 716 appearances during his time with Milan.
The ex-Italy international called it time on his legendary career in 1997, with Milan honouring Baresi by retiring his No 6 shirt after a 20-year senior playing career.
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Milan legend Paolo Maldini admitted that former club and international teammate Baresi was the player who he admired the most in his career.
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“My teammate Franco Baresi was a real captain,” he told Sports Illustrated’s Planet Fútbol podcast in 2017.
“He was an example for everyone. Not a big talker. He never talked [smiles]. But on the field or in training he was No 1.”
Featured Image Credit: Sky Sports/PATopics: Jamie Carragher, Football
