Many of Franco Baresi's former team mates were among the figures from the world of football in attendance on Tuesday at the funeral of the great former AC Milan and Italy defender, who died aged 66 last week, at the city's Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio while thousands of fans were in the square outside to pay their respects.
Chants of "there's only one captain" and "You Never Walk Alone" rang out along with applause as the coffin adorned with red and white roses was carried into the church.
Milan's red-and-back flag bearing Baresi's number 6 was already being waved two hours before the funeral began and a large banner was unfurled by the Curva Sud, Milan's hardcore ultra fans, on the building opposite the church, reading: "Immortal legend, an inimitable standard that will never stop flying.
Goodbye, Captain".
There was a standing ovation when Paolo Maldini and Marco Van Basten, fellow members of the Milan team that won three European champions titles in the late 1980s and early 1900s, entered.
But the club's current owner, American Gerry Cardinale, and President Paolo Scaroni were booed when they arrived and Milan Mayor Beppe Sala got some flak too.
"His legacy is one that we will be able to carry forward because Franco Baresi left his messages to all of us all, always striving to combine class and style with the simplicity of his demeanour," said Sports Minister Andrea Abodi.
"His sense of belonging to the AC Milan family, as well as to football as a whole, is the reason why he is loved by everyone, not just AC Milan fans".
Real Madrid and Barcelona were among the clubs to send delegations to the funeral and FIFA President Gianni Infantino and former AC Milan and Ukraine forward Andriy Shevchenko sent wreaths, as did Inter and AS Roma.
After the service Baresi's former teammates Demetrio Albertini, Alessandro Costacurta, Pietropaolo Virdis, Massimo Ambrosini, Marco Simone and Alberico Evani carried the coffin out of the church on their shoulders.
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