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5 Greatest Italian Players Of All Time

There have been some great Italian players in the sport’s history. Italy has always been an exceptional footballing nation and has produced some of the most talented players in history. From defending greats like Paolo Maldini to one of the best playmakers in history, Roberto Baggio, the Italians have produced them all. This article talks about some of the greatest Italian players to have ever played the sport.

Who Are The Greatest Italian Players?

5. Franco Baresi

Credit: ESPN India

Franco Baresi was born in Travagliato, Italy, on 8th May 1960 and is renowned as one of the greatest centre-backs who ever played the game. Baresi, being a one-club man, spent his entire career at AC Milan. Baresi was known for his tactical intelligence, good positioning, and exceptional leadership skills. This Italian central defender played more than 700 matches for the club, winning 6 Scudettos and 3 European Cups, among other trophies. He could read the game and predict movements with great accuracy and, therefore, could play in a back three or as a traditional defender. He played for Italy 81 times and appeared in World Cups 3 times, winning the trophy in 1982.

The Italian defender’s achievements cannot be measured in numbers. Baresi was a great footballer as he was able to calm the play down and carry the ball, which was a unique quality for a central back. Considered to be a man of commitment for his loyalty and consistency, he also proved to be an athlete guided by the principles of sportsmanship. The number 6 of Baresi is still worshipped by fans of AC Milan and will be in future, even years after the player’s departure from the team. He, indeed, is one of those players whose name will remain a part of history, and he will continue to inspire generations of footballers to come.

4. Giuseppe Meazza

Giuseppe Meazza, who was born on 23rd August 1910 in Milan, is one of the best strikers of the Italian national team. He engaged in a club career of over two decades, almost exclusively with Inter Milan and AC Milan and established himself for his brilliance, dribbling skills, and goal-scoring ability. He captured three Serie A titles and was part of the Italian national team in World Cups in 1934 and 1938. Due to his skill to weave in and out of tight spaces and score brilliant goals, he was a terror for defenders.

Meazza was not just about the numbers. On the contrary, statistics would point out that he did not contribute much to the game, but that was not the case. He inspired the succeeding generations to take a creative and physical course. In the thirties, he was probably the most active player in soccer. Due to his fan following and talent, he earned the name “Il Balilla” and gathered fans wherever he played. The memory of Meazza will always remain alive with one of Garibaldi’s monuments, the San Siro stadium, as the true son and one of the brightest of Italian football and the sport as a whole.

3. Gianluigi Buffon

Gigi Buffon – The Greatest GK Of ALL TIME 🐐⚪️⚫️

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— RBComps (@rbcomps_) June 27, 2023

Gianluigi Buffon, born on 28th January 1978 in Carrara, Italy, is one of the most famous goalkeepers in history. He began his career with Parma and helped them progress, winning the UEFA Cup and several domestic trophies. In 2001, he moved to Juventus for what was then a world record fee for a goalkeeper and became a vital player in the defensive line, winning several Serie A trophies with the club. Buffon is rather unique because he has played at the same level for more than twenty years since the beginning of his career.

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His record, on the other hand, does not pale either as he represented the Italian national team 176 times, including participation at the World Cup, which Italy won in 2006, and Buffon was one of the key players making saves throughout the tournament. His work ethic, professionalism, and principles of fair play have made him highly revered in and outside the game. The Italian star was a figure imbued with charisma who can serve as an idol for any goalie to be. You can enumerate quite a few statistics regarding Buffon on the field, and still, his effect on soccer is way beyond that of figures.

2. Paolo Maldini

Credit: The Sun

Paolo Maldini is regarded as the greatest defender ever, and his gameplay has inspired many defenders. He went on to have an incredible career with I Rossoneri, making over 900 appearances for the club, in the process winning a plethora of Serie A titles and 5 Champions League trophies. As a result of his dexterity, he adapted well to play both left-back and centre-back, performing remarkably well in his tactical duties, technical skills, and leadership. He was a clever footballer who knew the game very well and also understood his opponents, which is one of the reasons he did not depend too much on physical attributes for defending.

There is simply no defender who can be compared to Maldini. He played 126 times for Italy and participated in four World Cups. Despite his exemplary career, the defender never managed to win either the World Cup or the Euros title, which is the only flaw in his brilliant career. There is more to Maldini than the accolades he obtained in his career. His iconic number 3 jersey has always represented and endured very high expectations, and his name will be remembered for generations to come.

1. Roberto Baggio

Roberto Baggio's Ballon d'Or winning season. Legend of the game pic.twitter.com/FHvCSCX3Kh

— 90s Footballers (@90sPlayers) March 26, 2024

Roberto Baggio, born on 18th February 1967 in Caldogno, Italy, is considered to be one of the best playmakers in the history of the game. Baggio’s career lasted for two decades, during which he played for some of the most distinguished clubs, including Fiorentina, Juventus, and AC Milan, which positioned him exceptionally well to score breathtaking goals and assist his fellow teammates. He won several Serie A titles alongside the UEFA Champions League, but it was the solitary win of the Ballon d’Or award in 1993 that crowed his illustrious career.

While the Italian was extremely talented, Baggio experienced sports injuries, which marred his career. However, he never failed to disappoint his fans, like during the 1994 World Cup when he steered the Italians to the final match. His trademark long curly hair and the number 10 jersey are still iconic. Baggio is arguably the greatest Italian to have ever lived and will be remembered not only by Italian fans but by everyone in and around football.

For more news and updates on the Italian Football Team, keep reading GutshotMagazine.com. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Telegram.

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