Baresi led the Milan team and its defence for the best part of a decade; a period during which Milan's defence was considered by many observers to be one of the best back fours in the history of football, consisting of Baresi, Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Costacurta and Mauro Tassotti. He is also one of the few players who spent his entire career at one club, AC Milan, for whom he played 719 games, scoring 33 goals.
He retired from playing in 1997 aged 37. With Milan, Baresi won six scudettiand three European Cups though he did not take part in the last win, his club's 1994 Champions League victory, through suspension. He mentored defensive partner Paolo Maldini in his later years, whose career has followed a similar path. His number 6 shirt was retired by the club, a rarity for Italian football.
