AC Milan has not recently shown superior strength compared to other teams. In the past, for fans of this team, it was difficult to forget a club that had won all the top titles and defeated some of the strongest opponents. And alongside those successes were the players who are considered AC Milan legends, the names that contributed the most to this team. In the following article, wintips.com experts will help fans know the best player on AC Milan ever (updated 2025), helping you know more interesting information about this team.
1. Greatest legendary AC Milan player – Paolo Maldini (1985-2009)
Paolo Maldini was the greatest AC Milan legend in the club's history. Having played more than 1,000 matches, he and his teammates secured 7 European Cup/Champions League titles, 5 Serie A titles, 1 Coppa Italia, 1 UEFA Cup, and 1 FIFA Club World Cup for the club.
Born into a football family, Paolo Maldini is the son of Cesare Maldini, a former AC Milan player who also served as the team's coach. Paolo Maldini played for AC Milan for 24 years, from 1985 to 2009, and was one of the best full-backs of all time.
Maldini was initially known as a left-back before switching to center-back. He possessed a talented left foot, exceptional defensive skills, impressive speed, and a keen ability to read the game. He was also one of the few players to have played for a single club throughout his career.
2. Best midfielder Franco Baresi (1978-1997)
Franco Baresi was not only a legendary AC Milan player but also one of the best central defenders of all time. During his 20-year career with AC Milan from 1978 to 1997, Baresi left an unforgettable legacy in the club’s history.
Thanks to his immense contributions, Franco Baresi helped AC Milan secure numerous impressive titles throughout his career. He won the Serie A title seven times and also helped Milan claim five European Cups, one Coppa Italia, one UEFA Cup, one FIFA Club World Cup, and one Supercoppa Italiana. His dominance and unmatched presence in these tournaments not only proved Baresi's strength but also strengthened AC Milan's position in the football world.
Franco Baresi was not only an excellent player but also a symbol of AC Milan's "zona mista" philosophy, a unique defensive system created by coach Arrigo Sacchi. This style of play is not just a tactical approach but also an instinct, an indispensable part of the team. Baresi became the unbreakable central defender who underpinned AC Milan's success and helped create a golden age for the team.
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3. Gianni Rivera (1960-1979)
Gianni Rivera ranked third among the greatest AC Milan players, was an Italian footballer who played for the club from 1960 to 1979. He was considered one of the best players of all time.
Rivera joined AC Milan at just 16 years old and quickly became one of the team's most important players. He won 11 titles with AC Milan, including 7 Serie A titles, 4 European Cups, and 1 European Cup Winners' Cup.
Rivera was known for his excellent ball control, his ability to dictate the game, and his talent for creating dangerous situations. He was considered one of the players most capable of analyzing the game and executing complex movements on the field.
4. Gunnar Nordahl (1949-1956)
Gunnar Nordahl, a Swedish football player, was a great symbol of AC Milan and was considered one of the greatest players in the club’s history. With his immense contributions and impressive goal-scoring ability, he outplayed many goalkeepers and became one of the Rossoneri's eternal legends.
Nordahl started his career at IK Brage at just 16 and quickly became one of the team's standout players. His career reached new heights when he moved to AC Milan in 1949. At AC Milan, Nordahl excelled by scoring 221 goals in 200 matches, proving his exceptional goal-scoring prowess and his remarkable ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities.
Nordahl was not only an excellent player but also an important part of the famous attacking trio "Gre-No-Li" along with Gunnar Gren and Nils Liedholm. This trio led AC Milan to a golden era and played a crucial role in securing major titles for the club. With his versatility and goal-scoring ability, Nordahl became an indispensable symbol in AC Milan's history and development.
5. Marco van Basten (1987-1995)
Marco van Basten was a Dutch footballer who ranks fifth among AC Milan's greatest players, leaving an indelible mark in the team's history. With a career spanning from 1987 to 1995, Van Basten became an icon and a constant source of inspiration for Rossoneri fans.
Van Basten won numerous prestigious titles with AC Milan, including 3 Serie A championships, 3 European Cups, 1 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, 1 UEFA Cup, and 2 Serie A top scorer awards. In particular, he played a key role in AC Milan's dominant victory over Steaua Bucharest in the 1989 European Cup final, scoring twice to secure the title.
Marco van Basten's excellent scoring ability and elegant playing style distinguished him in the football world. He was one of the greatest strikers, possessing the ability to finish accurately and create goal-scoring chances out of seemingly impossible situations. Van Basten's presence was not only an inspiration for his teammates but also a defining moment in AC Milan's glorious journey.
6. Alessandro Costacurta (1986-2007)
Another legendary AC Milan player was Alessandro Costacurta, a former Italian defender who played for the club from 1986 to 2007. He was considered one of the greatest central defenders of all time.
Alessandro Costacurta won 7 Serie A titles, 5 UEFA Champions League titles, 5 UEFA Super Cups, 2 Intercontinental Cups, and 1 Coppa Italia. He also played 663 matches for AC Milan, making him the second-most capped player in the club's history.
Costacurta is a complete center-back with excellent defensive skills. He is also a player with outstanding technical ability and an exceptional passing ability. He possesses a strong sense of teamwork and is always willing to sacrifice himself for the team.
7. Andriy Shevchenko (1999-2006 và 2008-2009)
Andriy Shevchenko, the Ukrainian footballer, left a remarkable legacy in his career. His time at AC Milan was particularly remarkable, as he became one of the best players in the world during the late 1990s and early 2000s.
As one of AC Milan's legendary players, Shevchenko won seven major titles with the club. These include two Serie A titles, two Champions League titles, one FIFA Club World Cup, and one UEFA Super Cup. In particular, Shevchenko surpassed all others to become AC Milan's all-time top scorer with a total of 175 goals.
Renowned for his precise finishing and versatility, Shevchenko was a versatile striker known for his powerful and accurate headers. He could also shoot with both his left and right feet, demonstrating his versatility in scoring goals. Shevchenko was not only an excellent player but also a legend who remains honored in the hearts of AC Milan fans and an important part of the club's glorious history.
8. Andrea Pirlo (2001-2011)
Ranked 8th on the list of AC Milan legends, Andrea Pirlo was one of the greatest midfielders in football history. Joining AC Milan in 2001, Pirlo immediately became a symbol and prominent star of the club.
Pirlo scored over 100 goals in 400 matches for AC Milan and played a crucial role in winning 2 Serie A titles, 2 UEFA Champions League titles, and 1 FIFA Club World Cup for the club. His diversity and versatility had a profound impact and left an indelible mark on the club's history.
Andrea Pirlo is known for his precise passing, powerful long-range shooting, and excellent ball control. He is a talented central midfielder who possesses exceptional game-reading skills. Pirlo's intelligence and sophistication in his play not only helped bring success to AC Milan but also set a benchmark for midfielders of his generation and beyond.
9. Nils Liedholm (1949-1961)
Nils Liedholm, a Swedish football player, is one of the legends of AC Milan and a symbol of Swedish football. Playing for AC Milan from 1949 to 1961, Liedholm was instrumental in the team's success and glory.
Moving to AC Milan in 1949, Liedholm experienced a brilliant career at the club. He won four Serie A titles, two Coppa Italia titles, one UEFA Champions League title, and one European Cup. Liedholm's consistency and elegance helped AC Milan establish itself as a dominant team in that decade.
Nils Liedholm was not only a versatile player who could play in various positions, but also a player with exceptional technical ability. He could shoot and pass the ball accurately, which created many memorable moments on the field. His tactical vision and ability to create opportunities for his teammates highlighted his leadership and footballing intelligence. He was not only an outstanding player but also an important part of AC Milan's rich history and lasting legacy.
10. Filippo Inzaghi (2001-2012)
Filippo Inzaghi, an Italian footballer, was ranked 10th on AC Milan's list of greatest players and left an indelible mark in the club's history. Inzaghi joined AC Milan in 2001 and immediately became a crucial figure in the squad.
During his tenure at AC Milan, Inzaghi won numerous titles, including 2 Serie A championships, 1 Coppa Italia, 2 UEFA Champions League titles, and 1 FIFA Club World Cup. His consistency and immense contribution were instrumental in AC Milan's success in the early 2000s.
Filippo Inzaghi is famous for his excellent finishing ability, especially during set pieces. He is also a highly intelligent player with exceptional game-reading skills, allowing him to capitalize on every scoring opportunity. Inzaghi’s stunning goals created unforgettable moments for AC Milan fans and cemented his legacy in the club’s history.
Conclusion
So, above is a list of the greatest players in AC Milan's history. With lightning-fast acceleration, skillful ball control, and sharp vision on the pitch, these players created unforgettable moments for fans. Hopefully, the above information will provide you with valuable and insightful knowledge. To explore more articles on Wintips, please visit the website regularly!
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