ROME, July 31 (Xinhua) -- AC Milan on Friday confirmed the death of club legend Franco Baresi at the age of 66.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest defenders in football history, Baresi spent his entire 20-year professional career with the Rossoneri, winning three European Cup/UEFA Champions League titles and six Serie A crowns. AC Milan retired his No. 6 shirt following his retirement.

At international level, Baresi earned 81 caps for Italy and was part of the country's 1982 World Cup-winning squad. He was inducted into the Italian Football Hall of Fame in 2013.

"Announcing the loss of someone who embodied the heart and soul of AC Milan, is incredibly difficult. 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," the club said.

"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," it added. ■