Top 9 Italian Football Players Ever: From Buffon to Totti

Italy has demonstrated an excellent game of football to the whole world more than once. The national team of the country became the owner of the World Cup four times, the last time in 2006. Italian football has given the world hundreds of great players. Many of them have become legends of the sport and inspired millions of young people around the world. The legacy of Italian football cannot be overestimated, but it must always be remembered. The players we are talking about today are not only the best of the best in Italy but all over the world. So we decided to remind you of the top 9 Italian football players ever.

A Juventus Icon Alessandro Del Piero

The legendary striker, after whom everyone calls a small area near the penalty area the “Del Piero zone”. From a position in front of the penalty area, Del Piero scored a huge number of goals with well-aimed long-range shots. He is included in the 100 best football players of all time according to World Soccer. He spent most of his career playing for Juventus. For more than 11 years he wore the captain’s armband. He won several super cups with the team, winning the Champions League and UEFA Super Cup.

Del Piero is also a European champion and world champion in 2006. He is still the top scorer in the history of Juventus. And he is one of the top 10 scorers in FIFA. If Totti is considered the idol of all the Romans, then in Turin this role was played by the great Del Piero. He occupies fourth place in the list of the best scorers on the national team.

Top 9 Italian Football Players: Gianluigi Buffon

The most expensive goalkeeper in the history of football. Goalkeepers rarely enjoy the same level of fame and respect as outfield players, but Buffon is an exception. He was the most expensive goalkeeper in the world for 17 years from 2001 to 2018. He played for the best teams in Italy and made 176 caps for the national team, a record for a European player.

Starting his career in Parma, he moved to Juventus in 2001. And he spent 17 years playing for one of the best clubs in Italy. He won the Italian Super Cup in 1999. Buffon became Italian champion 9 times with Juventus and French champion with Paris Saint-Germain in 2019. He deservedly bears the status of one of the most successful and outstanding goalkeepers in the history of football.

The Legend Alessandro Nesta

Nesta was an incredible defender. The central midfielder is an extremely important position in any team. Alessandro Nesta spent most of his career playing for Lazio and AC Milan. ​​Nesta is one of the 100 best football players of all time according to FIFA. And he is also one of the players who traveled almost the whole world during his professional career: he played for the Montreal Impact in Canada, Chennaiyin in India, and was a coach of the Miami team. Nesta appeared on the fields of the 1996 Olympic Games, three World Championships, and three European Championships. He is also the 2006 World Champion and the semi-finalist of the 2000 European Championship.

Top 9 Italian Football Players: Gennaro Gattuso

A powerful midfielder with an iron character, Gennaro Gattuso won the UEFA Champions League 2 times. He was a great player and played for several Italian teams, and then showed excellent results as a coach.

For two years now, he has been successfully heading AC Milan. His career can hardly be called bright, but he was one of the most consistent midfielders of his time. Thanks to his merits, he takes a place of honor in the hall of fame of Milan. Online sportsbook sites in Italy like22bet Sportsbook are offering odds for different tournaments taking up at the moment. 

“The Berlin Wall” Fabio Cannavaro

Cannavaro is one of the greatest defenders in football history. His nickname “Berlin Wall”, as well as the fact that he was the FIFA Player of the Year in 2006, only once again confirm the greatness of his name. And recently he entered the top of the most beautiful football players in the world. Nimble but tightly built, Fabio Cannavaro always managed to be in the right place at the right time. He played for Napoli, Parma, Internazionale, Juventus, Real Madrid and Al Khali. In the course of his accomplished career, he scored 16 goals. He also served as a coach in the famous Chinese team “Guangzhou Evergrande”. Fabio Cannavaro is the 2006 World Championship gold medalist and the 2000 European Championship silver medalist.

“Il Capitano” Paolo Maldini

If a football fan with a lot of experience were asked who is the best Italian football player, he would undoubtedly answer Paolo Maldini. He spent his entire career at the Milan club and made 902 appearances defending the colors of the team.

He also made 126 caps for the national team and was declared the best player in the world in 1994. A great defender with a great sense of the field. He always impressed the fans with his skill and ability to cut off any attack in the bud.

He was awarded the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, a seven-time winner of the Italian Championship. Maldini is the owner of two bronze and two silver medals at the World and European Championships. Paolo took a well-deserved rest only at the age of 41. He forever inscribed his name in the history of the Milan football club. His nickname “Captain” (“Il Capitano”) once again emphasizes the respectful attitude of other football players towards him.

The Maestro of Italian Football: Andrea Pirlo

A free-kick master, this football player is considered one of the best midfielders of all time. He started his career in the world of professional football in 1994 as a member of the youth team of Brescia. In 1998, he became a player of Inter, and then of Milan. He ended his professional career in New York City, where he played 60 matches and scored 1 goal. The most memorable skill of Pirlo was excellent flair and the technical execution of standards.

Pirlo is a two-time Italian champion, winner of the Italian Cup, as well as the winner of the Club World Cup and the Champions League. He also won the Italian championship 4 times and lifted the Super Cup 2 times with Juventus. Andrea is also a passionate fan of the football simulator FIFA from EA Sports. He owns a phrase that is simply epic: “On July 9, 2006, I slept in the afternoon, then played the PlayStation, and in the evening I won the World Championship.”

“Emperor of Rome” Francesco Totti

A very flexible player who could play as a midfielder or striker. He spent his entire professional career at Roma, where he was captain for a decade. Totti was a great leader and a powerful striker. He skillfully played with his head, and took set pieces when necessary.  He was always at the forefront of the attack and led the team to victory in 2001. Francesco Totti is the owner of 2 Italian Cups and 2 Italian Super Cups. He also became the world champion in 2006 and won the silver in the European Championship in 2000. Totti is also a good movie actor and an active participant in various reality shows.

Top 9 Italian Football Players: Filippo Inzaghi

Inzaghi is firmly among the best footballers in the history of Italy. He played for Parma, Atalanta, Juventus, and Milan. In 468 games, he scored 197 goals and became the champion of Italy in two teams. Interestingly, the future striker wanted to become a goalkeeper and even played in this position as part of the Piacenza youth team. After completing his club career, he became a coach. His coaching career is inferior to his history as a player.

Filippo Inzaghi was the champion of Italy in 1998, 2004, and 2011 with Juventus and Milan, as well as the winner of the UEFA Super Cup, the Champions League, and the European Under-21 Championship in 1994. He also has the gold in the 2006 World Cup and the silver in the championship Europe 2000. Online gambling sites in Italy are hoping for similar success in the World Cup 2022, all odds are available on 22bet Sportsbook. 

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