Italy’s greatest footballers of all time: The top 10 legends ranked

November 6, 2025 Kris Isaksen

From elegant playmakers to impenetrable defenders, Italy has given the world some of football’s most iconic names. Here’s a countdown of the greatest Italian soccer players ever, starting from number 10 and working our way up to the ultimate legend.

10. Alessandro Del Piero — Mr. Juventus

Del Piero was the heart and soul of Juventus, becoming their all-time top scorer with 290 goals in 705 matches. His loyalty shone brightest when he stayed with the club after their relegation, firing them back into Serie A with 20 goals. He was also key to Italy's 2006 World Cup win, sealing the semifinal against Germany with a precise finish and confidently converting his penalty in the final shootout against France.

9. Dino Zoff — The timeless captain

Zoff’s career didn’t truly ignite until he joined Juventus at age 30, where he went on to win six Serie A titles and two Coppa Italias. Known for his consistency and leadership, he became a symbol of perseverance. His crowning moment came in 1982, captaining Italy to World Cup glory at age 40—still the oldest player to lift the trophy.

8. Francesco Totti — The Roman emperor

Totti played 26 seasons for his beloved AS Roma, scoring 307 goals in 786 appearances—both club records. His loyalty was legendary, staying with Roma instead of chasing bigger clubs and more silverware. He played a crucial role in Italy’s 2006 World Cup run, netting a dramatic late winner against Australia in the round of 16.

7. Gianni Rivera — The original fantasista

Rivera was the first Italian-born player to win the Ballon d’Or, guiding AC Milan to European glory in 1969. A brilliant playmaker, he defined creativity for a generation of Italian players to follow. Coach Nereo Rocco called him a genius, the kind of player who could reshape a game with a single touch, even if he didn’t cover much ground.

6. Andrea Pirlo — The effortless maestro

Pirlo was a deep-lying playmaker who made the game look deceptively simple, always calm and calculated on the ball. His signature passes—lofted, curling, perfectly weighted—could split any defense. He retired with six Serie A titles, two Champions League wins, and a World Cup to his name, and remains tied as Serie A’s top free-kick scorer with 28 goals.

5. Franco Baresi — The defensive genius

Baresi was the bedrock of AC Milan’s legendary backline, combining strength, speed, and tactical intelligence. As a sweeper, he read the game flawlessly, breaking down attacks before they even began. Often compared to Franz Beckenbauer, Baresi was every bit his equal in terms of elegance and effectiveness on the pitch.

4. Gianluigi Buffon — The eternal guardian

Buffon’s $56.7 million move to Juventus in 2001 made him the most expensive goalkeeper in history—and he lived up to the price tag. Over two decades, he won 10 Serie A titles and helped Italy capture the 2006 World Cup. Despite never lifting the Champions League, Buffon retired at 45 as Italy’s most-capped player, finishing where he started—at Parma.

3. Giuseppe Meazza — Italy’s first superstar

Meazza lit up the 1930s, scoring 284 goals for Inter Milan and leading Italy to back-to-back World Cup wins in 1934 and 1938. His flair and finishing made him a household name. Rejected by AC Milan as a teen due to his height, he proved his doubters wrong—and later had the San Siro stadium named in his honor.

2. Roberto Baggio — The divine ponytail

Baggio’s dribbling, vision, and instinct made him one of the most technically gifted players in history. Despite injury setbacks, he consistently delivered magic on the pitch. As Pep Guardiola put it, even in his twilight years, Baggio was the best player he’d ever played with—proof of just how special he was.

1. Paolo Maldini — The ultimate icon

Maldini’s legacy is unmatched: seven Serie A titles, five Champions League trophies, and a reputation as the best defender of all time. A one-club man, he led AC Milan through decades of dominance. Known for his elegance and positioning, Maldini famously believed that needing to tackle meant he'd already made a mistake—he was that good.