In 1899, an Englishman established a football club in the city of Milan. It was originally known as the Milan Football and Cricket Club, but that name later changed to Associazione Calcio Milan, or AC Milan as we know it now. Little did that man know that, as of 2024, his club would go on to become one of the biggest powerhouses in club football.
For years, AC Milan have been regarded as a giant of the game, always able to persuade world-class players to join their ranks. Through the years, Milan have always had superstars in their team. Some are considered the greatest of their generation, several among the best of all time.
Thus, in this article, we have decided to come up with a list of the 10 best AC Milan players ever, and to do so, we’ve taken a very specific set of criteria into account, which are as follows:
- Impact
- Longevity
- Statistics
- Trophies
#10 Sebastiano Rossi
Sebastiano Rossi was the backbone of AC Milan during one of its greatest eras in club history. Equipped with a great physique and technical ability, Rossi was an integral part of the Rossoneri’s defensive system. Throughout the ’90s, especially the early part of the decade, Rossi was one of the world’s best keepers.
Playing behind an iconic defence made up of Mauro Tassotti, Alessandro Costacurta, Franco Baresi and Paolo Maldini, he was among the strongest Italian goalkeepers of his generation. In his twelve years with Milan, he won five Scudetti, three Italian Super Cups, one Intercontinental Cup, two European Super Cups and one Champions League.
No keeper has had as much success with Milan as Sebo.
#9 Ruud Gullit
Silvio Berlusconi made one of the greatest investments of all time when he brought in three of the greatest Dutch players to ever play the game. One of these players was Ruud Gullit. A footballing icon of the 1980s and 90s, Gullit was blessed with extraordinary power and skill and was arguably one of the best footballers to ever wear the Milan shirt.
Right from the start, Gullit was inspirational to the team led by Arrigo Sacchi. Playing mostly as an attacking midfielder and providing inspiration in the attack, Gullit helped Milan to the Scudetto for the first time in nine years. From then on, the Milan of the late ’80s and early ’90s would become one of the most dominant teams ever.
It was a dominant time for Milan and Gullit’s best years were spent paving his way to greatness at San Siro.
#8 Andrea Pirlo
In a move you don’t see everyday, Andrea Pirlo was sold from Inter to AC Milan, a deal that continued to sting Inter for a decade. With Pirlo going on to become one of the greatest playmakers of all time.
His ability to dictate a game from the midfield was unparalleled for the better part of a decade. He was a driving force of Milan’s two Champions League victories over five years, which also included a trip to Istanbul for the final in 2005.
Even as he moved past 30, Pirlo was creating greatness out of nothing for Milan. Pirlo was important to Milan for 10 years. It was necessary to move on, but his career will always be marked by the success and glory he found wearing the colours of Milan.
#7 Andriy Shevchenko
After arriving at Milan in the summer of 1999 from Dinamo Kyiv, Andriy Shevchenko turned into one of the most complete strikers of his generation.
In the seemingly short time he was with Milan, he scored 175 goals in just 322 games, which is also the second most of any Milan player. Physical, fast, and blessed with the ability to score long-rangers, he was the kind of player every coach wants to have in their attack.
Besides saying that he made the biggest mistake of his life leaving Milan to play for Chelsea, everything else about the Ukrainian is self-explanatory.
#6 Alessandro Costacurta
Alessandro Costacurta was a big part of Milan’s Golden Age. A regular in the back for many years, he was part of a dynamic team which included Franco Baresi, Paolo Maldini, Marco Van Basten and several other superstars that dominated Italy and Europe for many years.
His 663 appearances is third in the all time list for the club behind only Franco Baresi and Paolo Maldini, and it is unlikely that the three will be challenged anytime soon. During his 21-year spell with the club, Costacurta won seven Series A titles, five Champions Leagues, one Coppa Italia, five Italian Super Cups, four UEFA Super Cups and two Intercontinental Cups.
#5 Marco Van Basten
When Silvio Berlusconi took over the club in 1986, he immediately made a huge investment by bringing in Dutch trio Ruud Gullit, Frank Rijkaard and Van Basten.
Despite playing only seven healthy years, Van Basten rose up the scoring charts at Milan and until he was passed by Andriy Shevchenko and Filippo Inzaghi, he was fifth all time on the list.
Many thought Van Basten would be the successor to Carlo Ancelotti and then Leonardo, but it was not meant to be. However, the Dutchman did enough during his time at Milan to be considered one of its best players ever.
#4 Gunnar Nordahl
No player has won the Serie A Capocannoniere as many times as Gunnar Nordahl, and only Michel Platini has matched Nordahl’s record of three consecutive seasons as top scorer.
Nordahl was part of Milan’s first ever golden era. With two Scudetti, he helped set the pace for a long run of Milan success from the ’50s into the ’60s. The ’50s were when Milan really began to become one of the major world powers, and Nordahl is a big reason for that success.
It is highly unlikely that any player will ever match his five Capocannoniere awards and as Milan’s all-time leading goalscorer, his record will likely go unchallenged for a while. Until then, Nordahl remains the scoring king.
#3 Gianni Rivera
To see a player play their entire career for one club, especially a player as talented as Rivera, is a rarity. Gianni Rivera started a trend that created the greatest Milan legends. After one season playing for his hometown club, Alessandria, he played 19 years for Milan, playing as captain for 13 of them, and retired as a member of the red and black.
He was one of the most influential players in the Milan squad in his time, especially the ’60s when Milan won its first two European Cups in 1963 and 1969. He continued to lead the club to trophies in the ’70s, winning three Italian Cups, a UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup and a Scudetto during the decade.
#2 Franco Baresi
Franco Baresi is one of the last natural sweepers and his time in the back with Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Costacurta and Mauro Tassotti was a time which brought Milan five Scudetti, three European Cups and the claim as the world’s best club.
He captained Milan for the last 15 years of his career, a career that lasted 20 incredible years, which later earned him the AC Milan Player of the Century title. His No. 6 is one of only two numbers retired by the club and unlike the other number, it will certainly never be worn again.
#1 Paolo Maldini
Paolo Maldini’s famous No. 3 is one of the two numbers, along with Baresi’s, that has been retired by the club. The only way it will be worn again is if one of Maldini’s sons, Christian or Daniel, plays for the club. Both are in the youth system.
Milan’s all-time appearance leader also holds the appearance record for the Champions League and Serie A. Few players have even come close to winning those competitions as often as Maldini did. Five European Cups, seven Serie A titles, and 21 major trophies overall in 25 seasons.
Maldini was a force to be reckoned with during his time and is considered one of the greatest defenders of all time. Even after the Golden Age had passed and players like Baresi and Tassotti retired, Maldini continued to dominate.
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