Ranking the Top 15 Best Italian Footballers (All Time)

Italian football has a rich history of producing some of the world’s greatest players. From gritty and sturdy defenders to technically gifted midfielders and clinical strikers. With four FIFA World Cup victories and two European Championships in the Italian cabinet, some of the players have left an everlasting impact on the football world.

Many top talents and gifted players that the world has seen over the years came from Italian soil. Italian footballers are known for their physical strength and strong defensive techniques. Many legendary players have graced this game, from Roberto Baggio, known for his magical dribbling and sharp turns, to the sturdy defending of legendary Paolo Maldini. In this list, we will be looking at the top 15 best Italian footballers of all time:

Ranking Factors

• Italian caps: The number of matches played for the senior men’s Italian team is the first factor which is being consider to determine the top players.
• Individual stats: Individual stats and performances for club and country, in addition to the stats like games, goals, assists and clean sheets.
• Notable clubs & Titles: Famous clubs that any player has played for and significant titles they have claimed in their career are the third ranking factor.

Detailed list of Top Italian Players in history.

15. Silvio Piola

In Italian soccer history, Silvio Piola is considered one of the most lethal strikers. On the international stage, he scored 30 goals in 34 appearances for the Italian side and won the 1938 World Cup, making him a highly prominent figure in Italian football. Additionally, he is considered the first footballer to attempt a bicycle kick.

International Caps	30
Notable Clubs	Lazio, Torino, Juventus
Notable Titles	1× FIFA World Cup (1938), Serie A top scorer (2×)

14. Luigi Riva

Luigi ‘Gigi’ Riva is considered a cult legend with more than 300 appearances in his club career. His career spanned 1962 to 1976, where he made more than 380 appearances and scored 205 goals. Riva played 42 times for his country and scored 35 goals, and also won the UEFA European Championship in 1968. Luigi is Italy’s all-time goal scorer and even managed the Italian team from 1988 to 2013.

International Caps	42
Notable Clubs	Cagliari, Legnano
Notable Titles	1× Serie A, 1× UEFA Euro (1968)

13. Francesco Totti

Francesco Totti is known for his character and loyalty for spending his entire professional club career with Roma, but he has more than that to his credit. Totti might not have won any silverware throughout his club career, but he made 619 appearances for the club he loved and respected. For his country, he earned 58 caps, scored 9 goals, and won the FIFA World Cup in 2006. After his international career was cut short, he decided to focus on his club career due to repeated injuries and physical problems.

International Caps	58
Notable Clubs	AS Roma
Notable Titles	1× Serie A, 2× Coppa Italia, 1× FIFA World Cup (2006)

12. Fabio Cannavaro

Fabio Cannavaro was in a league of his own, known for his impressive defence, awareness, and positional sense to intercept dangerous attacks. Throughout his professional career, he has played for several big clubs, such as Napoli, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, and Juventus. Cannavaro’s stint with Real Madrid was a big success, where he won two La Liga titles, the 2006 FIFA World Player of the Year. And, the 2006 Ballon d’Or, made him one of the greatest defenders of all time, he earned 136 caps and led Italy to the 2006 FIFA World Cup sucess

International Caps	136
Notable Clubs	Napoli, Parma, Inter Milan, Juventus, Real Madrid
Notable Titles	1× FIFA World Cup (2006), Ballon d’Or (2006), 2× La Liga

11. Gaetano Scirea

Gaetano Scirea was known for his speed, control over the ball, and defensive abilities. He played for clubs like Atalanta and Juventus, where he scored 25 goals. Known for his class and sportsmanship, he never earned a red card in his professional career. He is also one of only six players in European football history to have won all the international trophies for clubs recognized by UEFA and FIFA. He won 78 caps, scored two goals, and won the FIFA World Cup in 1982, making him one of the best Italian players in football history.

International Caps	78
Notable Clubs	Juventus, Atalanta
Notable Titles	7× Serie A, 1× FIFA World Cup (1982), 1× UCL

10. Gianluigi Buffon

Gianluigi Buffon’s longevity, shot-stopping abilities, acrobatic dives, and reflexes made him step apart from every goalkeeper. With over 1100 professional career appearances to his name, he holds the record for the most appearances in Serie A with 657 appearances. For the Italian men’s national team, he earned 176 caps and won the 2006 FIFA World Cup as he kept five clean sheets in the tournament. The goalkeeper has played for big clubs like Juventus and PSG in his career and is hailed as one the best goalkeepers ever.

International Caps	176
Notable Clubs	Juventus, PSG, Parma
Notable Titles	10× Serie A, 1× FIFA World Cup (2006), 5× Coppa Italia

9. Gianni Rivera

Gianni Rivera was touted as a natural prodigy from an early age, but what he achieved in his career was something no one expected. He was known for his graceful, creative, and offensive midfield playmaking abilities. With over 527 club appearances and 128 goals, he played for clubs like Alessandria and AC Milan. For his country, he earned 60 caps and won the UEFA European Championship in 1968, making him one of the best Italian players in football history.

International Caps	60
Notable Clubs	AC Milan
Notable Titles	3× Serie A, 2× UCL, 1× UEFA Euro (1968), Ballon d’Or (1969)

8. Alessandro Del Piero

Alessandro Del Piero’s technicality, set-piece prowess, and creative support plays made him top the chart as Juventus’ all-time goalscorers list and a goalkeeper which Italy are missing nowadays. With over 340 goals in his professional career for clubs like Padova and Juventus, Del Piero always stood apart from others. For his country, Del Piero earned 91 caps and scored 27 goals, making him one of the greatest Italian footballers of all time.

International Caps	91
Notable Clubs	Juventus
Notable Titles	6× Serie A, 1× UCL, 1× FIFA World Cup (2006)

7. Paolo Rossi

Paolo Rossi was the hero of the 1982 FIFA World Cup and the top scorer in the competition with 6 goals to his name. The striker still holds the record for the most goals in World Cup history for an Italian footballer alongside Roberto Baggio and Christian Vieri. Rossi won many prestigious individual awards like the Ballon d’Or award in 1982, the Golden Boot & Golden Ball at the FIFA World Cup, making him one of the greatest Italian football players.

International Caps	48
Notable Clubs	Juventus, Vicenza, AC Milan
Notable Titles	1× FIFA World Cup (1982), Ballon d’Or (1982), 2× Serie A

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6 Andrea Pirlo

Andrea Pirlo’s vision, free-kick prowess, and ability to pass the ball from a deep playmaker role paved his path to success. With over 570 appearances, Pirlo played for several big clubs like Inter Milan, AC Milan, and Juventus, but his stint with AC Milan and Juventus is thoroughly remembered by fans alike for all the trophies he won and memories he made. For his country, he earned 116 caps and played a pivotal part in the team from the 2000s to the 2010s, making him one of the greatest Italian footballers of all time.

International Caps	116
Notable Clubs	AC Milan, Juventus, Inter Milan
Notable Titles	2× UCL, 6× Serie A, 1× FIFA World Cup (2006)

5. Dino Zoff

Dino Zoff illustrated the true meaning of age like a fine wine, winning the FIFA World Cup at the age of 40 years, 4 months, and 13 days. For his country, Zoff earned 112 caps and was a part of the Italian national team at two UEFA European Championships and 4 World Cups. Zoff has played an entire club career in the Italian top division, representing clubs like Juventus, SSC Napoli and Udinese Calcio.

International Caps	112
Notable Clubs	Juventus, Napoli
Notable Titles	1× FIFA World Cup (1982), 6× Serie A, 2× Coppa Italia

4. Franco Baresi

Franco Baresi is considered one of the greatest centre-backs of all time and also one of the greatest Italian football players. With over 532 appearances for AC Milan from 1977 to 1997, he was instrumental in the club’s success over the years and formed one of the most formidable defensive units of all time alongside Paolo Maldini, Filippo Galli, and Alessandro Costacurta. For his country, he earned 81 caps and won the FIFA World Cup in 1982.

International Caps	82
Notable Clubs	AC Milan
Notable Titles	6× Serie A, 3× UCL, 1× FIFA World Cup (1982)

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3. Roberto Baggio

Roberto Baggio, also known as ‘The Divine Ponytail’, was known for his dribbling skills, creative playmaking abilities, and curling free kicks. With more than 488 club appearances to his name and 218 goals, his playmaking abilities and eye for goals made him one of the greatest players in the club’s history. For his country, Baggio earned 56 caps for Italy and netted 27 goals, making him one of the best Italian players in football history.

International Caps	56
Notable Clubs	Fiorentina, Juventus, AC Milan, Inter Milan
Notable Titles	1× Ballon d’Or (1993), 2× Serie A, 1× Coppa Italia

2. Giuseppe Meazza

One of the football world’s most iconic stadiums, Stadio Giuseppe Meazza (San Siro), was named after him. With over 400 professional club appearances in his career and 284 goals, he played for several elite clubs like AC Milan, Inter Milan, and Juventus. For his country, he earned 53 caps, scored 33 goals, and led Italy to two FIFA World Cup trophies, making him one of the greatest Italian football players of all time.

International Caps	53
Notable Clubs	Inter Milan, AC Milan, Juventus
Notable Titles	2× FIFA World Cup (1934, 1938), 3× Serie A

1. Paolo Maldini

Paolo Maldini was deemed a complete defender with a strong presence, intelligence, and excellent man-marking. ‘Il Capitano’ held the record for the most appearances made in the Serie A with 627 appearances until Buffon broke it in 2020. For his nation, he earned 126 caps and scored 7 goals. Throughout his professional career spanning 25 years, he made over 647 appearances for AC Milan where he won seven Serie A titles making him one of the greatest defenders of all time in football history.

International Caps	126
Notable Clubs	AC Milan
Notable Titles	7× Serie A, 5× UCL, 1× Coppa Italia

List of Top 15 Italian Footballers of All Time

Rank	Italian Footballer Name	Position	International Caps	Years Active
1	Paolo Maldini	Defender	126	1985–2009
2	Giuseppe Meazza	Forward	53	1927–1947
3	Roberto Baggio	Forward/Midfielder	56	1982–2004
4	Franco Baresi	Defender	82	1977–1997
5	Dino Zoff	Goalkeeper	112	1961–1983
6	Andrea Pirlo	Midfielder	116	1995–2017
7	Paolo Rossi	Forward	48	1973–1987
8	Alessandro Del Piero	Forward	91	1991–2014
9	Gianni Rivera	Midfielder	60	1959–1979
10	Gianluigi Buffon	Goalkeeper	176	1995–2023
11	Gaetano Scirea	Defender	78	1972–1988
12	Fabio Cannavaro	Defender	136	1992–2011
13	Francesco Totti	Forward/Midfielder	58	1992–2017
14	Luigi Riva	Forward	42	1962–1977
15	Silvio Piola	Forward	30	1929–1954

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