5 Greatest Italian Footballers of All Time

3. Franco Baresi

Franco Baresi

Baresi is inarguably one of the greatest defenders the game of football has seen. He played as a sweeper for AC Milan and Italian national team, and won quite a few honours for his club and country. Baresi won 3 European Cups and 6 Serie A titles for Milan. He also remains one of the few players to have won each of the Gold, silver and bronze medals in the World Cup.

Baresi won the 1982 World cup with the Italian team, and also finished runner-up in the 1994 World Cup, even after a stupendous performance in the final against Brazil, which earned him the Player of the final award. He also captained the all-conquering Milan side in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Baresi played in 719 matches in his club career and scored 33 goals. He also earned 81 international caps for Italy and was runner-up in Ballon d’Or 1989. He was one of the cleanest defenders of all time, and could read the game very well. His tackling, interceptions and anticipation made him an invaluable player.