Multiple outlets report that tributes to Franco Baresi following his death on Friday include a message from Alessandro Del Piero that resonates differently depending on cultural context. Del Piero’s note, described as “39 times thank you,” is tied to the Heysel disaster and is presented as a reference that has specific meaning in Italy. The reports say the phrase initially confuses those unfamiliar with the background, but it is widely understood in Italy as a nod to the victims of the stadium tragedy and to the number 39 associated with the disaster. In the accounts, the tribute is framed as an act of remembrance rather than a football-related statistic, connecting Baresi’s career-era legacy with a broader historical event. The message is among several tributes appearing after Baresi’s death, with outlets highlighting that the Heysel reference adds an extra layer of meaning for Italian audiences.