5 Greatest Italian Footballers of All Time

3. 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.

About the author

Subhadeep, an adept tennis journalist at Sportskeeda, has been writing about the sport for seven years. He is known for his exclusive match reviews and opinion pieces, utilizing his MBA degree to tackle them effectively with his problem-solving abilities.

Subhadeep lives and breathes tennis. He watches matches regularly and engages in social media platforms to stay on top of the latest happenings. As a writer, he brings the fan's perspective to his pieces, ensuring his readers enjoy an exceptional experience every time.

Growing up, he idolized Boris Becker, but he now firmly believes Novak Djokovic stands alone as the 'Greatest of all Time', especially considering the 24-time Grand Slam champion's incredible stats. One thing that still puzzles Subhadeep, however, is how Becker's Wimbledon tally might have reached five if not for Pete Sampras.

Speaking of the All England Club, the British Major holds a special place in his heart as he admires its blend of tradition and grass-court excellence. When not working for Sportskeeda, Subhadeep delves into the other "love of his life": football, and enjoys contributing his insights to different websites dedicated to the sport.

Know More

Edited by Ribhu .