Giuseppe Baresi

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Born in Travagliato, a province of Brescia, Baresi was acquired by Inter as a youngster, and became a member of the team's youth system. He made his professional debut with the senior side in the Coppa Italia on 8 June 1977, in a 1–0 win over Juventus during the 1976–77 season, and made his Serie A debut the following season. He later went on to captain the club from 1988 to 1992, and he spent a total of 16 seasons with Inter Milan, playing a total of 559 matches (including 392 Serie A matches, 73 European matches and 94 Coppa Italia matches), and scoring 13 goals (ten in Serie A, one in European matches, and two in the Coppa Italia). With Inter, he won two Serie A titles, two Italian Cups, an UEFA Cup, and the Supercoppa Italiana. After leaving Inter at the end of the 1991–92 season, Baresi also played for Modena in the Serie B for a couple of seasons, before retiring in 1994 at the age of 36.

In Their Own Story

Giuseppe Baresi's international career ran parallel to his club success but with far less achievement. He represented the Italy under-20 side at the 1977 Under-20 World Cup and the under-21 side at the 1978 and 1980 European championships. Between 1979 and 1986, he earned 18 caps with the senior Italy national team. He was part of the squad for UEFA Euro 1980 on home soil — the only major tournament where he and his younger brother Franco were both selected. Giuseppe made appearances in the competition as Italy reached the semi-finals and finished in fourth place. Despite being called up for the 1982 World Cup qualifiers by manager Enzo Bearzot, Baresi was left out of the final squad in favor of his brother Franco. He was a starting member of Italy's 1986 World Cup squad, which was eliminated in the round of 16.

Reader's Guide

A long-standing nerazzurro, he also served as Inter's captain for four seasons, winning several trophies both domestically and internationally. Despite his club success, Baresi achieved little success at the national team level, unlike his younger brother, only playing 18 matches with the Azzurri shirt between 1979 and 1986, being also surpassed in notoriety by his more famous brother Franco, who played for crosstown city rivals A.C. Milan. After representing the under-20 side in the 1977 Under-20 World Cup, and the under-21 side in the 1978 and 1980 European championships, Baresi was a member of Italy's senior squad at the UEFA 1980 European Championship, on home soil, alongside his brother. This was the only time that the two brothers were both selected for a major tournament with Italy, although only Giuseppe would make appearances in the competition, as Italy managed to reach the semi-finals, finishing in fourth place. Despite being called up for the 1982 World Cup qualifiers by manager Enzo Bearzot, Baresi was left out of the final squad for his brother Franco; although the team went on to win the trophy, Franco did not make a single appearance throughout the tournament. Baresi was also a starting member of Italy's 1986 World Cup squad, which was eliminated in the round of 16.

Did You Know?

• Giuseppe Baresi is the older brother of legendary A.C. Milan captain Franco Baresi.
• He made his professional debut for Inter in the Coppa Italia on 8 June 1977.
• Baresi captained Inter from 1988 to 1992.
• He played 559 matches for Inter across all competitions.
• His daughter Regina was a former footballer and captain of Inter Women.