Top 10 greatest players of all time: FC Internazionale Milano

In this article, we present to you our pick of the ten greatest-ever male players to ever represent FC Internazionale Milano, commonly referred to as Inter Milan.

Inter Milan are one of the most successful football clubs in the history of the sport, having currently to their name, apart from numerous domestic accolades, one FIFA Club World Cup, three UEFA Cups, two Intercontinental Cups, seven Italian Cups, five Italian Super Cups, and an incredible 18 Serie A titles. 

Established in 1908, Inter have proven to be a consistent force to be reckoned with in the football world, having won virtually every competition they’ve ever competed in. For a club with such a rich history, there have been many superstars who’ve donned the Nerazzurro colours. 

For this list, we’ve taken a very specific set of criteria into account:

• Impact
• Longevity
• Statistics
• Trophies

#10 Esteban Cambiasso

Someone like Esteban Cambiasso is hardly going to ever win any individual accolades for playing stylish football. However, he was an integral part of the Inter Milan sides that dominated Italian football during the early 2000s.

Cambiasso was a complete, versatile, and modern footballer—an excellent reader of the game who was capable of playing in several midfield and defensive positions. Although predominantly a box-to-box and defensive-midfield operator, he was often also deployed as a playmaking sweeper.

During his decades-long stay with Inter, Cambiasso appeared 431 times for the club, scoring 51 goals. He goes down in history as one of the greatest midfielders Inter have ever had. 

#9 Alessandro Altobelli

Alessandro Altobelli is arguably one of the best strikers to ever play for Inter. The prolific goalscorer played for Inter Milan from 1977 to 1988 and scored a total of 209 goals in 465 appearances.

A well-rounded centre-forward with an eye for goal, Altobelli excelled in the air with his heading accuracy, power, and acrobatic ability. He was a fast, hard-working, and opportunistic player with excellent technique, someone who was not shy to use either foot in spite of being naturally left-footed. 

Despite his slender build, Altobelli had excellent balance and deceptive strength. He was also capable of protecting the ball with his back to goal and holding it up for his teammates. He was a key cog in the Inter squads that won the Coppa Italia in 1977/78 and 1981/82 and the Scudetto in 1979/80.

#8 Mario Corso

One of the greatest Italian left-wingers of all time, the late Mario Corso enjoyed a glorious career with Inter Milan, having played for the club from 1957 to 1973. Corso made his debut for Inter at the young age of 16 and made a total of 509 appearances for them, scoring 95 goals.

Nicknamed “God’s Left Foot”, Corso was known for his deadly crossing ability, and although he was not particularly quick-footed, he was gifted with tenacity and a good physique, as well as class, close control, flair, and outstanding dribbling skills. He used these tools to help Inter win two Intercontinental Cups, two European Cups, and four Serie A titles. He further helped them make it to one European Cup final and Coppa Italia final each.

#7 Giuseppe Bergomi

Academy graduate Giuseppe Bergomi spent his entire professional career playing for Inter Milan, from 1979 to 1999. One of the greatest Italian defenders in history, Bergomi made a total of 754 appearances for Inter. He was the record appearance maker for the club when he retired in 1999. The record was later broken by Javier Zanetti.

Bergomi was a defender who could do it all and had the ability to adapt to anything the opposing team threw at him. His game was just as impressive on the offensive end, as he used his quickness and athleticism to make offensive plays and scored a total of 27 goals throughout his career.

Bergomi’s longevity and defensive acumen saw him help Inter win one Italian Cup, one Italian Super Cup, two Scudetti, and three UEFA Cups. 

#6 Ronaldo

O Fenômeno is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time. Ronaldo was a prolific goalscorer who had outstanding technical ability, and he used his dribbling skill to effortlessly weave through defences and attack. His crossing ability, together with his scoring and playmaking, made him one of the most complete forwards of all time.

In his time with Inter which spanned 99 appearances, Ronaldo helped the team win the 1998 UEFA Cup. During his debut season with the club, he scored 25 goals—a record for a player in his first season in the Italian topflight.

Although injuries played a huge role during his time at Inter, Ronaldo still managed to collect a host of individual achievements during his time at San Siro, including being named the UEFA Most Valuable Player, the Serie A Footballer of the Year, the UEFA Best Forward, and the UEFA Club Footballer of the year, all in 1998, while also winning two Ballons d’Or—in 1997 and 2002. 

Also read: FC Bayern Munich’s top 10 greatest players of all time

#5 Sandro Mazzola

Another one-club man who spent his entire playing career at Inter Milan (1960–1977), Sandro Mazzola was a skilled forward and considered one of the very best in his generation. His tally of 162 goals in 566 appearances for Inter Milan speaks for itself. 

Mazzola was a versatile player who could do it all with his speed, energy, and tactical understanding. The athletic forward also had an impressive defensive work rate, which he used to great effect as he established himself as one of the best forwards in the game during his playing days. 

From 1970 until his retirement, Mazzola also served as Inter’s captain. He retired in 1977, having won one European Championship, two Intercontinental Cups, two European Cups, and four Serie A titles. 

#4 Luis Suárez

The Spain-born Luis Suárez played for many teams throughout his career, but he spent the bulk of his playing days and perhaps was at the peak of his powers during his days with Inter Milan from 1961 to 1970. He became the world’s most expensive footballer when he was acquired by Inter Milan for £142,000.

The Spanish playmaker made a total of 329 appearances and scored a total of 55 goals for Inter. His outstanding playmaking and explosiveness made him a focal point in Helenio Herrera’s “Grande Inter”.

Suárez ended his career as one of the greatest Spanish players of all time, having contributed greatly to the legacy of the Nerazzurri. With him at the club, Inter secured two Coppa dei Campioni, two Intercontinental Cups, and three Serie A titles.

#3 Javier Zanetti

No other player in the history of Inter Milan has played more games for the club than this Argentine former defender. Javier Zanetti began playing for Inter in 1995 and was one of their cornerstones until he retired in 2014. 

Zanetti might not have been one of those graceful defenders, but he possessed the grit and leadership that the club needed. His stamina, athleticism, and reading of the game are difficult to match, and he also possessed defensive and offensive skills that made him an all-around threat.

Throughout his illustrious career with Inter Milan, Zanetti led the club to an astounding 16 trophies, which include a UEFA Cup, a Club World Cup, a Champions League title, four Supercoppe Italiane, four Coppe Italia, and five straight Serie A titles.

#2 Giacinto Facchetti

Giacinto Facchetti is another legendary Inter Milan defender who had a distinguished career with the club, for whom he made a total of 637 appearances. He played for Inter from 1960 to 1978 and was part of Helenio Herrera’s legendary “Grande Inter” side.

Regarded as one of the greatest fullbacks in football history, Fachetti changed the way the position was played. Apart from his superb stamina, power, and physicality, he also had a knack for scoring crucial goals, making him a threat every time he was on the field. He scored a total of 76 goals for Inter Milan.

During his illustrious time with Inter, the late Fachetti won one Coppa Italia, two European titles, two Continental trophies, and four Serie A titles. In recognition of his greatness and what he was able to bring to the game, he was posthumously inducted into the Italian Football Hall of Fame in 2015.

#1 Giuseppe Meazza

It’s difficult to argue that someone is greater than Giuseppe Meazza when Inter Milan’s stadium itself is named after him. The revered striker played for Inter from 1927 to 1940, and returned to cap off his playing career with the club in the 1946/47 season, making a total of 409 appearances for the Nerazzurri.

Meazza is arguably Italy’s greatest player of all time, and his record of 284 goals for Inter is yet to be surpassed nearly a century after he began playing for them.

Meazza was also a respected leader who led the team to great success. During his time at the club, Inter Milan won the Coppa Italia, the Mitropa Cup, and three Scudetti. The legacy he left behind at Inter Milan is second to none.