Ranking the Top 15 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 grazed 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 Italian footballers of all time:

List of Top 15 Italian Footballers of All Time

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.

14. Luigi Riva

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

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.

12. Fabio Cannavaro

Fabio Cannavaro was in a league of his own during his days and was known for his impressive defence, awareness, and positional sense to intercept dangerous attacks. Throughout his professional career, he has played for several big clubs like Napoli, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, and Juventus. His stint with Real Madrid was big success that lasted for three seasons where he won two La Liga titles, the 2006 FIFA World Player of the Year, and the 2006 Ballon d’Or, making him one of the greatest defenders of all time. For his country, he earned 136 caps and led Italy to the 2006 FIFA World Cup victory.

11. Gaetano Scirea

Gaetano Scirea was known for his speed, control over the ball, and defensive abilities. With over 435 club appearances, 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 the only six players in European football history to have won all the international trophies for clubs recognized by UEFA and FIFA. For his country, he earned 78 caps, scored two goals, and won the FIFA World Cup in 1982 making him one of the best Italian players in football history

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 his country, he earned 176 caps and won the 2006 FIFA World Cup as he kept five clean sheets in the tournament.

9. Gianni Rivera

Gianni Rivera was a touted 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.

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.

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 in 1982, the Golden Boot & Golden Ball at the FIFA World Cup, making him one of the greatest Italian football players.

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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.

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.

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 also won the FIFA World Cup in 1982.

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 goal 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.

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, 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.

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.

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