The 20 Greatest AC Milan Players of All Time – Ranked

September 25, 2025 Oliver Obel

Few clubs in world football have a history as rich as AC Milan. From European dominance to legendary players who became icons of the game, the Rossoneri have been home to some of football’s most extraordinary talents. This list celebrates the 20 greatest players ever to wear the famous red and black shirt, starting from number 20 and working our way to the greatest of them all.

20) Dida

Nelson Dida was one of the world’s best goalkeepers at his peak. He was heroic in the 2003 Champions League final, saving three penalties against Juventus. Dida’s presence between the sticks was essential to Milan’s early-2000s success.

19) Zvonimir Boban

Zvonimir Boban was a midfield general and a key figure in Milan’s 1990s glory years. He won four Serie A titles and the 1994 Champions League. Boban’s creativity and leadership made him a fan favorite.

18) Pierino Prati

Pierino Prati will forever be remembered for his hat-trick in the 1969 European Cup final. The winger scored over 100 goals for Milan and helped deliver a Scudetto and multiple cups. Prati’s performances were crucial to Milan’s success in the late 1960s.

17) Aldo Boffi

Aldo Boffi never won a trophy with Milan, but his goalscoring record speaks for itself. He was Serie A’s top scorer three times and netted 131 goals in just 187 appearances. Boffi is still remembered as one of Milan’s deadliest forwards.

16) Giovanni Trapattoni

Before becoming one of football’s greatest managers, Giovanni Trapattoni was a defensive rock for Milan. He won two European Cups and two Serie A titles as a player. His contributions helped make Milan one of Europe’s most feared sides in the 1960s.

15) Daniele Massaro

Daniele Massaro was a reliable striker and a big-game player for Milan. He scored a memorable brace in the 1994 Champions League final, helping destroy Barcelona 4-0. Massaro’s contributions were vital during Milan’s early 1990s dominance.

14) Kaká

Kaká lit up San Siro with his dazzling runs and spectacular goals. The 2007 Ballon d’Or winner led Milan to Champions League glory that same year, finishing as the competition’s top scorer. He remains one of the most beloved players in modern Milan history.

13) Ruud Gullit

Ruud Gullit was one of the three Dutch superstars who transformed Milan in the late 1980s. A Ballon d’Or winner, he brought power, skill, and leadership to the side. Gullit helped Milan to two European Cups and three Scudetti during his stay.

12) Sebastiano Rossi

Sebastiano Rossi was Milan’s rock between the posts throughout the 1990s. He won five Serie A titles and a Champions League, commanding one of the best defenses in history. Rossi still holds legendary status among Milan goalkeepers.

11) Filippo Inzaghi

“Super Pippo” was the ultimate poacher, always in the right place at the right time. Inzaghi scored twice in the 2007 Champions League final against Liverpool, securing Milan’s seventh European crown. His 125 goals for the club are a testament to his incredible predatory instincts.

10) José Altafini

José Altafini was one of Milan’s most prolific forwards, scoring 161 goals in 246 appearances. He famously netted both goals in the 1963 European Cup final to give Milan their first continental title. Altafini remains one of the club’s greatest ever strikers.

9) Nils Liedholm

Nils Liedholm was part of the famous Gre-No-Li trio that lit up Serie A in the 1950s. With four Scudetti to his name, he was a crucial figure in Milan’s first era of dominance. Liedholm later managed the club, further cementing his place in Milan history.

8) Andrea Pirlo

Andrea Pirlo redefined the regista role during his 10 years at Milan. His ability to control the tempo of a game and deliver pinpoint passes was key to two Champions League victories. Pirlo’s playmaking brilliance remains one of the defining features of Milan’s success in the 2000s.

7) Andriy Shevchenko

Andriy Shevchenko is second on Milan’s all-time scoring chart with 175 goals. The Ukrainian striker won the 2004 Ballon d’Or and was the hero of the 2003 Champions League final, converting the winning penalty. His clinical finishing made him a fan favorite and a Rossoneri legend.

6) Alessandro Costacurta

Known as “Billy,” Alessandro Costacurta formed part of Milan’s legendary backline alongside Baresi and Maldini. His 663 appearances brought him seven Serie A titles and five Champions League trophies. Costacurta’s loyalty and consistency defined Milan’s Golden Era.

5) Marco van Basten

Marco van Basten was a striker of rare elegance and lethal finishing ability. Despite a career cut short by injury, he scored 124 goals for Milan and won three Ballon d’Or trophies. Van Basten was central to Milan’s back-to-back European Cup triumphs in 1989 and 1990.

4) Gunnar Nordahl

Gunnar Nordahl remains Milan’s all-time leading goalscorer with 221 goals. The Swedish forward won the Serie A Capocannoniere award five times, a record that may never be matched. Nordahl’s goals powered Milan’s rise to prominence in the 1950s.

3) Gianni Rivera

Gianni Rivera, known as “Il Golden Boy,” spent 19 years at Milan and was captain for 13 of them. His 658 appearances and 165 goals made him one of the most influential midfielders in club history. Rivera’s vision and creativity drove Milan to two European Cups and three Scudetti.

2) Franco Baresi

Franco Baresi was Milan’s defensive general for two decades, captaining the club for 15 years. His leadership and tactical intelligence helped guide the team to six Serie A titles and three Champions League triumphs. Named AC Milan’s Player of the Century, Baresi’s No. 6 jersey is also retired.

1) Paolo Maldini

Paolo Maldini is the embodiment of AC Milan. With 902 appearances, five Champions League titles, and seven Scudetti, he remains the most iconic player in the club’s history. Maldini’s consistency and elegance made him one of the greatest defenders of all time, and his No. 3 shirt is retired in his honor.