10 Greatest Soccer Players in Italy

Italy has produced some of the most legendary footballers in history. From tactical Zona Mista innovators to prolific goalscorers, these Azzurri icons defined eras at club and international level. In this list, we rank the 10 greatest soccer players in Italy of all time – players who shaped Serie A and lifted trophies for club and country. For more on Italy’s rich football heritage, see our articles on the best Italian defenders and the history of Serie A.

Table of Contents

Italian youth footballers at play in an Italian piazza, illustrating Italy’s passion for soccer and rich football heritage.

10. Alessandro Del Piero

Club Career (Juventus): Del Piero spent 19 seasons (1993–2012) at Juventus, becoming a true club legend. He holds the Juve records for most appearances (705) and goals (289). A master of big moments, he scored the game-winner in the 1996 UEFA Champions League final and was Juve’s talisman through ups and downs (including Serie B). Achievements: 6× Serie A titles (1995–96, 1996–97, 1997–98, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2004–05), 1× Champions League (1996), 1× UEFA Cup (1993), 1× Coppa Italia.

Juventus (1993–2012): 705 games, 289 goals; club’s all-time leader in goals.
Honors: 6× Scudetto, 1× Champions League (1996), 1× UEFA Cup, 1× Coppa Italia.

Italy: Del Piero was capped 91 times, scoring 27 goals for the Azzurri. He delivered key goals at Euro ‘96 and the 2006 World Cup, where Italy won the title (Del Piero scored in the semi-final shootout vs. Germany).

Legacy: Renowned for his loyalty (19 years at one club) and creativity, Del Piero epitomizes a Serie A legend. A ball wizard known for curling “Gol alla Del Piero” free kicks, he remains a model of professionalism.

9. Dino Zoff

Club Career (Juventus & Napoli): Zoff was a commanding goalkeeper whose career took off after joining Juventus in 1972 at age 30. Over 11 seasons he made nearly 500 appearances for Juve, helping them win six Serie A titles and two Coppa Italia trophies. Remarkably consistent, he was Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year multiple times and played until age 41.

Juventus (1972–1983): 330 Serie A matches; 6× Serie A titles, 2× Coppa Italia.
Napoli (1967–1972): Early career before his Juve move.

International: As Italy’s captain, Zoff led the Azzurri to the 1982 World Cup in Spain, becoming the oldest player ever to win the World Cup at 40 years old. He earned 112 caps (a record at the time) and was also part of Italy’s 1968 European Championship–winning squad. His leadership and composure in goal set a standard for generations.

Legacy: Zoff is widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time. His trophy haul and longevity (playing at top level into his 40s) exemplify Italian discipline and resilience.

8. Francesco Totti

Club Career (AS Roma): “Il Capitano” Totti spent his entire 26-year career at Roma (1992–2017), embodying loyalty in modern football. A creative playmaker and prolific scorer, he made 786 appearances and netted 307 goals for the Giallorossi, both club records. Totti won 5 major trophies with Roma, including the historic Scudetto in 2001.

AS Roma (1992–2017): 786 games, 307 goals; club’s all-time top scorer.
Honors: 1× Serie A (2000–01), 2× Coppa Italia, 2× Supercoppa Italiana.

International: Totti earned 58 caps and scored 9 goals for Italy. He was a key member of the 2006 World Cup–winning team (scoring a memorable goal against Australia in extra time) and provided experience and skill in midfield.

Legacy: A symbol of Rome, Totti’s blend of genius and passion made him a fan favorite worldwide. He remains Serie A’s second-highest scorer behind Silvio Piola, and is celebrated for his loyalty (all 307 goals came in a Roma shirt) and unique playing style.

7. Gianni Rivera

Club Career (AC Milan): Rivera – nicknamed “Il Golden Boy” – broke into AC Milan’s first team as a teenager in 1960. A visionary attacking midfielder, he guided Milan through its first golden era. Rivera scored in Milan’s 1963 European Cup final win and again in the 1969 final against Ajax, leading to two European Cups. He also won 3 Serie A titles (1962, 1968, 1979) and captained Milan for years. In 1969 he became the first Italian ever to win the Ballon d’Or.

AC Milan (1960–1979): 501 Serie A games, 122 goals.
Honors: 3× Serie A, 2× European Cup (1963, 1969); Ballon d’Or (1969).

International: Rivera won 60 caps and scored 14 goals for Italy. He helped Italy win the 1968 European Championship (though he missed the final due to injury). Nicknamed the “fantasista,” his elegant playmaking set a blueprint for later Italian greats (Baggio, Totti, Zola).

Legacy: Rivera’s artistry earned him the nickname “God’s Left Foot.” He is often cited as Italy’s greatest number 10, a cerebral and technically gifted midfielder whose influence on Italian calcio was immense.

6. Andrea Pirlo

Club Career (AC Milan/Juventus): Pirlo was a deep-lying playmaker known for his effortless ball control and vision. He starred for AC Milan (2001–2011) and Juventus (2011–2015), winning a total of six Serie A titles and two UEFA Champions Leagues. His signature long-range passes and free-kick mastery (28 free-kick goals, tied for the most in Serie A history) dictated games.

AC Milan (2001–2011): 401 games, 43 goals; 2× Champions League (2003, 2007), 2× Serie A (2004, 2011).
Juventus (2011–2015): 164 games, 19 goals; 4× Serie A (2012–2015).

International: Pirlo earned 116 caps and scored 13 goals for Italy. He was instrumental in the 2006 World Cup run – scoring one of the penalties in the final shootout – and won the World Cup that year. In total, his trophy haul includes the 2006 World Cup, making him one of the few Italians to win both club and country’s highest honors.

Legacy: Praised by Johan Cruyff as a “genius,” Pirlo revolutionized the deep-lying midfielder role. His cool composure and inventiveness earned him both the Ballon d’Or-nominated honors and a place as one of Italy’s most respected midfield maestros.

5. Franco Baresi

Club Career (AC Milan): A one-club man, Baresi spent his entire 20-year playing career at AC Milan (1977–1997). He captained Milan’s formidable defense during their dominant late-’80s and early-’90s teams, winning 6 Serie A titles and 3 Champions League trophies. In total he won 22 official titles with Milan, a club record at the time. In October 2024 AC Milan honored Baresi by making him the first inductee into the new Milan Hall of Fame, recognizing his status as “one of football’s greatest defenders.”

AC Milan (1977–1997): 719 games, 33 goals; 6× Serie A, 3× Champions League, plus multiple Coppa Italia and UEFA Super Cups.
Legend: Wore the no. 6 shirt (retired by Milan in his honor), and was Milan’s on-field leader and tactical sweeper for two decades.

International: Baresi earned 81 caps for Italy. He was captain of the Azzurri at Euro 1988 and the 1990 World Cup (Italy finished third on home soil). Known for his tactical intelligence, Baresi set the standard for Italian defending, famously saying “If I have to make a tackle, I’ve already made a mistake.” His style and success earned comparisons to German legend Franz Beckenbauer.

Legacy: Considered one of the greatest defenders ever, Baresi’s calm, strategic approach and longevity made him an enduring icon for Milan and Italy. His Hall of Fame induction cements his legacy as a symbol of Italian defensive mastery.

4. Gianluigi Buffon

Club Career (Parma/Juventus): Buffon burst onto the scene with Parma in 1995 and soon became the world’s most valuable goalkeeper. In 2001 Juventus paid €52 million for him, a world record at the time. Over a 25+ year career, he became the only player to feature in 648 Serie A matches and earned every major domestic honor in Italy. With Juventus he won an incredible 10 Serie A titles and collected a record 12 Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year awards.

Juventus (2001–2018, 2019–2021): 509 league games, 10× Serie A (2002–2011, 2015–2018), 5× Coppa Italia.
Parma (1995–2001, 2021–2023): Developed into a superstar, winning Coppa Italia and UEFA Cup with Parma.

International: Buffon earned 176 caps, more than any other Italian player. He was Italy’s captain and last line during the 2006 World Cup, making crucial saves and winning the Golden Glove. That World Cup title is his most coveted honor. He also won the 2002 World Cup Golden Ball (best goalkeeper). Buffon held Italy’s most-capped record until 2022.

Legacy: Revered as one of football’s greatest goalkeepers, Buffon’s combination of skill, leadership, and longevity is unmatched. Juventus hailed him as “unique in every way” when he set the appearance record. A model professional, he inspired defenders and strikers alike with his world-class presence.

3. Giuseppe Meazza

Club Career (Inter Milan/AC Milan): Giuseppe “Peppìn” Meazza was Italy’s first global soccer superstar. He starred for Inter Milan in the 1930s, scoring 284 goals in 408 games and winning 3 Serie A titles. His success at Inter earned him international legend status; later brief stints at AC Milan and Juventus rounded out his career. The San Siro stadium in Milan is officially named Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in his honor.

Inter Milan (1927–1940, 1946–1947): 408 games, 284 goals; 3× Serie A (1928–29, 1937–38, 1939–40).
AC Milan (1940–1942): Contributed despite injuries; no major titles.

International: Meazza led Italy to back-to-back World Cup victories in 1934 and 1938, a feat matched by only two others. He scored 33 goals in 53 appearances for Italy, making him Italy’s second-highest scorer (behind only Gigi Riva). In 1934 he won the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player.

Legacy: As a diminutive yet prolific forward, Meazza’s dribbling and scoring made him a legend. He was Italy’s first football icon, and his name lives on with the San Siro. In 2011 he received a posthumous induction into the Italian Football Hall of Fame, cementing his status as a founding giant of Italian football.

2. Roberto Baggio

Club Career (Fiorentina/Juventus/AC Milan): Baggio, nicknamed “Il Divin Codino” (“The Divine Ponytail”), dazzled with his creativity and left foot. He won the Ballon d’Or in 1993 (becoming the third Italian ever to win it) and starred for Fiorentina, Juventus, AC Milan, and others. With Juventus he won 2 Serie A titles, 1 Coppa Italia, and a UEFA Cup. His club career yields totals like 205 games and 115 goals for Juve.

Juventus (1990–1995, 2000–2001): 205 games, 115 goals; 2× Serie A, 1× Coppa Italia, 1× UEFA Cup.
Fiorentina, AC Milan, Inter, Bologna: Legendary spells, including UEFA Cup final with Inter.

International: Baggio scored 27 goals in 56 games for Italy, ranking fourth on Italy’s all-time scoring list. He was Italy’s star at the 1990 and 1994 World Cups, earning the World Cup Golden Ball in 1994 (as runner-up) despite missing a decisive final penalty. His flair made him a cultural icon in Italy – FIFA later inducted him into the Italian Hall of Fame.

Legacy: Often cited as Italy’s most beloved player, Baggio’s artistry on the pitch transcended statistics. Even his missed penalty in ’94 is part of his mythos. He brought a blend of skill and spirit to every team, and remains a symbol of Italian football excellence and passion.

1. Paolo Maldini

Club Career (AC Milan): Paolo Maldini sits atop our list. A one-club man for 25 years (1985–2009) at AC Milan, he is synonymous with greatness. An elegant defender (left-back and center-back) and captain of Milan’s trophy-laden sides, he played 902 official matches and won 26 trophies. His haul includes a record 7 Serie A titles, 5 UEFA Champions League crowns, 3 Intercontinental Cups, and more. Maldini made 647 Serie A appearances (an all-time outfield record).

AC Milan (1985–2009): 902 games, 33 goals; 26 major trophies including 7× Serie A and 5× Champions League.

International: Maldini earned 126 caps for Italy over 14 years. He played in four World Cups (1986–1998). While he never won a major trophy with Italy (retiring before the 2006 World Cup win), he captained the Azzurri and set standards of defensive excellence.

Legacy: Widely regarded as the greatest Italian defender ever, Maldini combined technique, longevity, and leadership. He is often described as the best defender in football history. His iconic quote – “If I have to make a tackle, I’ve already made a mistake” – reflects his pure, anticipatory style. The Italian Football Hall of Fame named him Italy’s first inductee in 2011. As an enduring symbol of Italian soccer artistry and success, Maldini’s legacy is unmatched.

Conclusion

These ten legends represent the rich legacy of soccer in Italy – a blend of tactical genius, elegance, and winning mentality. From Maldini’s defensive mastery to Baggio’s creativity, each player left an indelible mark on Serie A and the Azzurri. Together, they helped Italy capture multiple World Cups and Champions Leagues, and continue to inspire new generations.

Which Italian soccer icon is your favorite? Share this article on social media and comment below with your pick for Italy’s greatest footballer!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who is considered the greatest Italian soccer player of all time?
A: Opinions vary, but Paolo Maldini is often cited due to his record longevity and 26 major trophies. Roberto Baggio and Franco Baresi are also in the conversation. All players on our list are widely regarded as among the best.

Q: Which Italian player scored the most goals for the national team?
A: The all-time top scorer for Italy is Silvio Piola (30 goals). Of the players in our list, Giuseppe Meazza scored 33 goals for Italy (now Italy’s second-highest scorer), and Roberto Baggio scored 27.

Q: How many World Cups has Italy won, and who in this list contributed?
A: Italy has won the World Cup four times (1934, 1938, 1982, 2006). Giuseppe Meazza starred in 1934 and 1938, Dino Zoff captained the 1982 victory, and players like Fabio Cannavaro (not on this list) and Andrea Pirlo were key in 2006.

Q: Who has the most appearances (caps) for Italy?
A: Gianluigi Buffon earned 176 caps (Italy’s record). Paolo Maldini has 126. Maldini holds the record for outfield player appearances in Serie A (647).

Q: Which Italian players have won the Ballon d’Or?
A: The Italians who won football’s Ballon d’Or are Gianni Rivera (1969), Paolo Rossi (1982 World Cup hero), Roberto Baggio (1993), Fabio Cannavaro (2006), and Luka Modrić (though Modrić played in Italy, he’s Croatian). Meazza won the 1934 World Cup Golden Ball.

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