[1] At international level, he represented the Italy national team on 18 occasions between 1979 and 1986, taking part at UEFA Euro 1980, where they finished in fourth place, and at the 1986 FIFA World Cup.

His younger brother, Franco Baresi, also a defender, served as captain for city rivals A.C. Milan and the Italy national side.

[1] When Roberto Mancini joined as head coach in 2014, Baresi was responsible for scouting, and followed the development of players in the various Inter academies worldwide.

A hard-working and tenacious ball-winner, with an excellent ability to read the game, Baresi was regarded as one of the best and most versatile Italian defenders of his generation, as he was capable of playing as a full-back, or as a defensive midfielder, in addition to his natural centre-back role, due to his stamina.

As youngsters, both had tryouts for Inter, but Franco was rejected, and purchased by local rivals Milan; as he was the younger player, he was initially known as "Baresi 2".