Former Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi, now at the helm of Monza, says Franco Baresi was the ‘greatest’ player of his Rossoneri presidency: ‘Everyone respected him.’
Berlusconi’s Monza will face Milan at the U-Power Stadium on Saturday.
It’s the second time the ex-Italy Prime Minister meets his former club as an opponent in a competitive match. The first time was in the reverse fixture at San Siro on October 22, when the defending Serie A champions secured a 4-1 victory.
Berlusconi spoke to Sky Sport Italia on Friday on the eve of tomorrow’s match with the Diavoli saying that he fulfilled his dreams during his 31-year Milan presidency.
“I wanted Milan to become the best team in the World and I made it,” he said, as quoted by Gazzetta.
“I won everything. In 1994, I wasn’t able to watch the Champions League Final because of a political meeting and when I called Adriano Galliani, he told me we had won 4-0. I am still proud of what we achieved.”
Some of the best players of all time played for Berlusconi’s Milan: Marco Van Basten, Ruud Gullit, Paolo Maldini, Franco Baresi, Andrea Pirlo, Andriy Shevchenko and Kaka, to name a few.
However, the former club owner has no doubt about who the greatest was.
“I love Maldini, he is the son and the father of Milan players. I love many of my Milan players, from Gullit to Van Basten, but the greatest was Baresi. A fantastic player, incredibly honest, loved and respected by everyone, including opponents.”
Nessun Rossonero può non Amare Franchino Baresi ⚫️🔴
The one and only!