Ranking the 10 Best Inter Milan Players of All Time

Football Club Internazionale Milano, popularly known as Inter Milan, is an Italian football club based in the city of Milan, Italy. The club is the second most successful Italian side, overtaking their city rivals AC Milan with 20 Serie A titles and numerous domestic trophies from Coppa Italia to Supercoppa Italiana in their cabinet. Inter Milan enjoyed significant success under Jose Mourinho, winning the treble in the 2009/10 season. It is remembered as one of the most successful periods in the club’s history.

To date, they are the only club from Italy to achieve a treble. Over the years, the Nerazzurri have witnessed remarkable players giving their best to the club and bringing plenty of success to the team. From the early years of the club to the Mourinho era and now to the present set-up of Simone Inzaghi. On that note, let’s review the list of the best Inter Milan players of all time.

It’s not an easy task to compile a list of only 10 FC Internazionale Milano players. Since the Italian giants have welcomed world-class players in every generation, starting from the early years of Giuseppe Meazza to grander Inter figures like Mario Corso and Luis Suarez. In the 90s era, they had Ronaldo Nazario, Javier Zanetti, Iván Zamorano, Roberto Baggio and Lothar Matthäus.

During the 2010s, the best modern generational talents like Samuel Eto’o, Wesley Sneijder, Adriano, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Julio Cesar, Dejan Stankovic, and Diego Milito served Inter. Meanwhile, the present generation stars like Lautaro Martinez, Nicolò Barella, and Hakan Çalhanoğlu are carrying the legacy of Inter Milan forward, bringing notable success to the club under the supervision of Simone Inzaghi.

What Makes an Inter Milan Legend? Our Ranking Criteria

Longevity: The primary ranking of the Inter Milan players, the aspect that we are looking for is their tenure in the city of Milan, donning the Nerazzurri shirt. It reflects the longevity and durability of their Inter Milan spell.

Impact: Any player’s impact in bringing triumph to the team with their individual brilliance and key performances on the pitch. Statistics like goals, assists, clean sheets, and appearances are also taken into account while compiling the list of Inter Milan players.

Achievements: The third parameter considered while ranking the Inter Milan players was the number of trophies, titles, and honors a player has earned during their time with the Italian giants. Trophy count and personal accolades are also vital factors in defining the rankings of these phenomenal players.

Top 10 Best Inter Milan Players of All Time

We had a really hard time compiling the top 10 Inter Milan players list, given the rich history and legacy of the club in Italy as well as in Europe. After conducting a thorough research backed by statistics, we, at Sportsdunia, have ranked these legends of the game, from Zlatan Ibrahimovic to legendary Giuseppe Meazza. Without wasting any more time, let’s get into it.

10. Zlatan Ibrahimović (Sweden)

Zlatan Ibrahimović enjoyed a stellar 24-year career. While playing for some of the biggest clubs in Europe, such as Ajax, Juventus, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, and AC Milan, he etched his legacy as one of the greatest number 9s in football history. He spent a significant span of his prime years at Inter Milan, leading their frontline and making a name for himself in Italy. The prolific striker announced his retirement in the summer of 2023 after a brief stint with the Rossoneri, and the striker is currently working as their senior advisor in AC Milan’s top brass.

The Swedish International was a 6’5 towering presence and a strong center forward who had a remarkable aura on the field, coupled with an exceptional eye for goals that helped him to score 66 goals in 117 appearances for the Italian giants. In addition to the 29 assists in three seasons, Ibrahimovic was a fan favorite at Inter and lifted two Serie A titles with them before leaving the club to join Barcelona. The Swedish striker is hailed as one of the greatest Inter Milan players in history.

Appearances	117
Goals	66
Assists	29
Trophies Count	4

9. Alessandro Altobelli (Italy)

Alessandro Altobelli is arguably the greatest striker to have played for Inter Milan and is nicknamed “Spillo”. The striker was even included in the Hall of Fame for his contributions. Altobelli is the second on the list of Inter Milan’s all-time top scorers with 209 goals for the club while making 465 appearances across all competitions. The Italian served 11 years at FC Internazionale from 1977 to 1988 and led them to lift the Italian Cup twice in the 1977/78 and 1981/82 seasons while also leading Inter to lift the Scudetto during the 1979/80 campaign.

He was a clinical finisher, skilled in intelligent movements coupled with aerial and physical prowess. Alessandro Altobelli also won the World Cup with Italy in 1982, showcasing his excellence with both club and country. At the international level, the forward had earned 61 caps for the Italy senior men’s team. Not many striker comes close to his genius and what he has done for Inter, which makes him one of the greatest Inter Milan players.

Appearances	465
Goals	209
Assists	8
Trophies Count	3

8. Mario Corso (Italy)

Mario Corso is revered as one the most iconic left-wingers in the history of Italian football. He was one of the pivotal figures in the Helenio Herrera-managed Grande Inter side that dominated Europe and Italy – the strongest Inter team in history. In 1958, he became the youngest player to score for Nerazzurri after scoring against Bologna at the age of 17, before going on to become a club icon.

Corso had led his side to multiple honors, including four Italian league titles, two European Cup silverware, and as many Intercontinental Cups. Since making his debut for Inter Milan, the Italian winger has made 502 appearances and scored 95 goals and 4 assists. He was technically sound with his magical left foot, famously called “God’s Left Foot” due to his exceptional crossing ability and tremendous free kicks. Hailed as one of the greatest Inter Milan players.

Appearances	509
Goals	94
Assists	4
Trophies Count	8

7. Giuseppe Bergomi (Italy)

Giuseppe Bergomi was awarded the One Club Man Award accolade for dedicating his entire professional club career to Inter Milan from 1979 to 1999. In his two-decade-long spell at San Siro, Bergomi played over 700 matches for the club and became the club’s all-time top appearance maker before Javier Zanetti surpassed his mark. He was prominently a right back but often switched to the role of centre-back and sweeper in the backline. He was an imposing figure, wearing the captain’s armband, and he led Nerazzurri to multiple trophies.

The legendary defender was quick and athletic in his style of play, a true leader on the pitch. He even netted 28 times for the Milan club throughout his time. The 1982 World Cup winner enjoyed UEFA Cup glory thrice, a Serie A title in the 1988/89 season, and a couple of domestic silverware. He also played 81 times for the Italian national team. One of the legends and rightfully one of the greatest Inter Milan players in history as well.

Appearances	754
Goals	27
Assists	2
Trophies Count	6

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6. Sandro Mazzola (Italy)

The next club legend, Sando Mazzola, was another monumental figure who spent his whole club career playing for Inter Milan and served 17 seasons at San Siro, being a one-club man. He was known for his speed, energy, and versatility which enabled him to play in multiple positions such as a wide midfielder, attacking midfielder, and forward. The forward is also one the highest appearance maker for the club, having scored 162 goals for the club and made 14 assists throughout his spell in Milan.

He had a sharp eye for goals, and tactical awareness powered by skills and stamina to beat the defenders made him an attacking threat. In addition, Mazzola was hard-working, forward, and had a high work rate. He led Inter to four Italian league titles, including the 1964/65 season in which he scored 17 Goals to finish as the top scorer in Serie A. Besides this, he was also part of the European Cup-winning Inter Milan squad for two successive seasons.

Appearances	566
Goals	162
Assists	14
Trophies Count	8

5. Luis Suarez (Spain)

Luis Suárez Miramontes, commonly known as Luis Suárez, was arguably one of the finest midfielders of his generation. Born in the port city of Spain, ACoruña, he began his career in Spain. Before joining Inter Milan, Suarez had spent 7 years with the Blaugrana, playing for the Catalan giants. In 1961, the Italian club signed him for a record-breaking fee of £142,000, making him the most expensive signing at that time. The Spaniard went on to devote a considerable amount of time at San Siro, making 329 appearances and netting 55 goals as well.

Upon his arrival in Milan, Suarez quickly established himself as a key component of the Grande Inter side, acting its the mind from the center of the pitch. The midfielder was regarded for his intelligence, directness, creativity, and relentless pressing. The 32-time Spain-capped midfielder, Suarez, helped Nerazzurri to secure three Scudetti, two European Cups, and two Intercontinental Cups during his term.

Appearances	329
Goals	55
Assists	5
Trophies Count	7

4. Ronaldo Nazario (Brazil)

Arguably the greatest striker of all time, Ronaldo Luis Nazario de Lima is also famed as ‘Fenonemo’ globally. During his playing days, R9 played in some of the biggest clubs in the world, including Barcelona, Real Madrid, AC Milan, and Inter Milan. The Nerazzurri acquired Ronaldo in the summer of 1997 when the club splashed a world record price of £25 million to secure his services. He was a complete striker who could do it all, from mesmerizing dribbles, powerful runs, finishing and blistering speed made him unstoppable. Injury played a big role in limiting his capabilities on the pitch, however, the 2002 World Cup winner was a class apart every time he stepped on the pitch.

His time at FC Internazionale Milano was curtailed due to injury grievances, which limited his contributions to 99 appearances and 59 goals with 10 assists during his spell with Inter Milan running from 1997 to 2002. He was honored with two Ballon d’Or accolades in recognition of his magical performance on the pitch in 1997 and 2002. In his debut campaign, Ronaldo guided the Italian club to win the UEFA Cup (Europa League) in the 1997/98 season. Subsequently, he took home a string of individual recognitions such as the UEFA Most Valuable Player, Serie A Footballer of the Year, UEFA Best Forward, and UEFA Club Footballer of the Year, all in the same year of 1998.

Appearances	99
Goals	59
Assists	10
Trophies Count	1

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3. Javier Zanetti (Argentina)

When it comes to the Inter Milan best players of all time, Javier Zanetti is up there at the top; a large number of people consider him the best Inter Milan player of all time. However, in this list, the Argentina icon secures the third spot. Zanetti’s loyalty to Nerazzurri cannot be questioned as the defender gave his heart on the pitch wearing Inter Milan colors. The right back was hailed for his leadership as he spearheaded the club to numerous trophies while setting an example, and as a result, he cemented his place in the hearts of Inter fans and the history of the club.

Zanetti arrived at San Siro in the summer of 1995 and remained with the club till 2014, celebrating a lengthy term of 19 seasons in the city of Milan. He hung up his boots as an FC Internazionale icon and the player with the most number of matches for the club, racking up 858 appearances overall. The Argentina legend was versatile and could be easily deployed in midfield and wide flanks, along with his natural position at the right side of the defense. He was disciplined, hardworking, and consistent in defense and offensive skills, while also being equipped with a passing and tactical understanding of the game. In terms of success, Zanetti led Inter to clinch the UEFA Champions League, five Serie A titles, the UEFA Cup (Europa League), the Club World Cup, four Coppa Italia, and as many Italian Super Cups.

Appearances	858
Goals	21
Assists	37
Trophies Count	16

2. Giacinto Facchetti (Italy)

A club icon and a hall famer for Inter Milan, the legendary left-back Giacinto Facchetti is the next prestigious name on the list of some of the best Inter Milan players ever. He had an eminent career at the club from 1960 to 1978, spending a total of 18 years with the Black and Blues. Facchetti was renowned for his humility, hard work, and unwavering passion for Inter. He made a long-lasting impact wearing the Nerazzurri shirt, etching his mark in the history books as one of the greatest Inter Milan players. He was also a legend for Italy, having played for the country on 94 occasions and lifting the European championship in 1968.

Fachetti was a key figure in Inter Milan’s success when they claimed a Coppa Italia, two European titles, two Continental trophies, and four Serie A crowns in total. Courtesy of his enormous success as a player for both club and country, the defender was inducted into the Italian Football Hall of Fame in 2015. Giacento Facchetii displayed a robust playing style with exceptional ball-playing skills and physical and technical prowess that made him a remarkable figure at Inter Milan. He is the third-highest appearance maker in the history of the club with 637 appearances and 80 goal contributions, altogether.

Appearances	637
Goals	76
Assists	4
Trophies Count	9

1. Giuseppe Meazza (Italy)

Giuseppe Meazza’s legacy looms larger than almost anyone’s; San Siro itself bears his name. The iconic home of two of the biggest clubs in the world was named after the stellar legacy of Giuseppe Meazza. He was a genius with the ball; his dribbling and clinical finishing were exceptional traits that were truly ahead of his time. Subsequently, he earned recognition as one the greatest goal scorers for Inter Milan, bagging a remarkable 284-goal tally in a total of 408 appearances — a record still in his name. At the International level, the great centre-forward led Italy to enjoy two World Cup glories in succession in 1934 and 1938, respectively.

Meazza had two spells with the club; the first came in 1927 to 1940, and the second stint was brief when he returned to the club for a single season in the 1946/47 season before announcing his retirement as an Inter Milan player. The Italian legendary forward also represented the city rivals AC Milan, Juventus, and Atlanta during his career, however, his golden period was accounted in the Nerazzurri colors. Thanks to his prolific goal-scoring, the forward claimed three Capocannoniere awards for finishing as the highest goal scorer in the Italian top flight. Meazza also guided Inter to secure two Scudetti and a Coppa Italia.

Appearances	408
Goals	284
Assists	3
Trophies Count	4

List of 10 Best Inter Milan Players Ever

Rank	Player	Position	Years at Inter Milan
1	Giuseppe Meazza	Forward	1927–1940, 1946–1947
2	Giacinto Facchetti	Defender	1960–1978
3	Javier Zanetti	Defender	1995–2014
4	Ronaldo	Forward	1997–2002
5	Luis Suárez	Midfielder	1961–1970
6	Sandro Mazzola	Forward	1960–1977
7	Giuseppe Bergomi	Defender	1979–1999
8	Mario Corso	Left Winger	1957–1973
9	Alessandro Altobelli	Striker	1977–1988
10	Zlatan Ibrahimović	Striker	2006–2009

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