Next to current European Champions Real Madrid, AC Milan is Europe’s most successful club. Winning 18 Scudetto’s, 7 Champions Leagues and 4 Club World Cups can only be done when you’ve got the best of the best players at your helm.
Indeed, Milan had featured brilliant players throughout its history.
Attacking players like Nordahl, Altafini, Weah, Kaká, Rivera, Gullit, Shevchenko, and Van Basten, to name a few.
Defenders like Baresi, Maldini, Nesta, Costacurta, Cafu, Tassotti, Desailly, and the list goes on and on. To choose eleven of so many influencial and great players it’s really a tough job for anyone.
So which of these will fit in an all time greatest Milan XI?
To make the best possible line-up out of Milan’s greatest players, I’ve opted for an unconventional 3-3-2-2 formation.
Goalkeeper:
Nelson Dida (Brazil)
Milan (2000-2010)
Milan’s weakest position for sure. There have been several great Italian goalies – Dino Zoff, Walter Zenga and Gigi Buffon – but none of them have played for Milan. Dida remains as the best option. He lost his touch during the latter years of his career, but between 2003 and 2007 he was among the world’s finer goalkeepers, winning the first FIFPro goalie of the year award, being nominated twice for the Ballon d’Or, and ending five times in IFFHS’s top ten goalies of the world election. Dida soon wrote his name into Milan history after the 2003 Champions League final at Old Trafford against league rivals Juventus, which had ended goalless after extra time. He saved penalties from David Trezeguet, Marcelo Zalayeta, and Paolo Montero as Milan won the shoot-out 3–2, and the ensuing praise poured in from his home country in addition to the Italian media; he was labeled “Saint Dida” by the Brazilian press, while Folha de Sao Paulo chipped in with the headline “Dida pushes Milan to the top of Europe.” In 2003, he became the first Brazilian keeper to be nominated for the Ballon D’Or, which was won by Juventus rival Pavel Nedved. Dida also played 91 games for Brazil, whereas ‘legendary’ Milan goalies such as Lorenzo Buffon, Fabio Cudicini and Sebastiano Rossi managed only 15 Caps for Italy combined.
Defenders:
Right Central Back – Alessandro Nesta (Italy)
Milan (2002-2012)
Nesta, a world class defender who was experienced by Lionel Messi a few years ago, as Nesta completely marked him out of the game in the Camp Nou. A world class defender known for his clean play, disciplined marking and positioning, Nesta is among the greatest defenders of the 21st century. Barely edges out the likes of Tassotti, Costacurta, who was great, and that for a very long time, but not quite as flawless as Nesta. 2003, the year when Milan won their sixth Champions League title and finished third in Serie A, Nesta was once again awarded the Serie A Defender of the Year award for his performances, and was elected to be part of the UEFA Team of the Year. Despite missing most of the 2006–07 season due to a shoulder injury, Nesta played a vital part in Milan’s return to the 2006–07 Champions League final, where Milan avenged their 2005 final loss, defeating Liverpool 2–1 in Athens. Despite Milan’s point deduction during the season, Nesta was also able to return from injury in time to help Milan manage a fourth place finish in Serie A, clinching the final Champions League spot. Nesta was elected to be part of both the UEFA Team of the Year and the FIFPro World XI for his performances that season. In all he has been voted four times as Serie A Defender Of The Year (two times with Milan) and has been included four times in UEFA Team Of The Year.
Libero/Sweeper – Franco Baresi (Italy)
Milan (1977-1997)
The man who defined the Libero role. A leader on the field, he signalled when to fall back, when to press forward and when to set up an offside trap. Played an incredible 719 games for Milan, and, in 1999, was rightly elected Milan’s player of the century. Baresi went on to spend his entire twenty year professional career with Milan, making his debut at the age of 17, during the 1977-78. He had initially been rejected by Inter, who chose his brother Giuseppe instead, while Milan signed Franco Baresi. During the end of the 1980s and the first half of the 1990s, Baresi was at the heart of a formidable all-Italian defence alongside Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Costacurta, Mauro Tassotti, and later, Christian Panucci, under managers Arrigo Sacchi and Fabio Capello, a defence which is regarded by many as the greatest of all time.
Milan won the Serie A title in 1987–88, with Baresi helping Milan to concede only 14 goals. This title was immediately followed by an Italian Supercup the next season, and back to back European Cups in 1988–89 and 1989–90. Baresi was also runner-up to team mate Van Basten for the Ballon d’Or in 1989, finishing ahead of his other team mate Frank Rijkaard, and was named Serie A Footballer of the Year in 1989–90.
Baresi went on to win four more Serie A titles with Milan under Fabio Capello, including three consecutive titles, during the 1991–92, 1992–93 and the 1993–94 seasons. Baresi helped Milan win the 1991-92 title undefeated, helping Milan to go unbeaten for an Italian record of 58 matches.
Milan retired his no. 6 jersey in tribute of him.
Left Central Back – Paolo Maldini (Italy)
Milan (1985-2009)
Made his Milan debut at the age of just 16 in hope of emulating his father Cesare Maldini who was also a Milan Legend, there was a huge pressure on him just because of the name ‘Maldini’ behind his back. A remarkable more than one thousand appearances in football at the highest level, and sticking to his only club, AC Milan. Only few can ever dream of that. I’ll let the numbers do the talking. 902 matches for Milan. 126 caps for Italy. 7 Scudetto’s. 5 Champions Leagues and a long list of individual awards that are so rare for a defender. No contest.
He spent all 25 seasons of his career at Serie A club Milan, before retiring at the age of 41 in 2009, becoming a symbol and a legend of the club. During that period, he won 26 trophies with Milan: the Champions League five times, as well as seven Serie A titles, one Coppa Italia, five Supercoppe Italiane, five European Super Cups, two Intercontinental Cups, and one FIFA Club World Cup.
Maldini is widely regarded as one of the greatest defenders of all time. He played at a world class level for his entire career spanning two and a half decades, and won the Best Defender trophy at the UEFA Club Football Awards at the age of 39, as well as the Serie A Defender of the Year Award in 2004. He came second to George Weah for the FIFA World Player of the Year award in1995, the closest a defender had ever come to winning the award until Fabio Cannavaro won the award in 2006, also placing third in the Ballon d’Or on two occasions, in 1994 and 2003. In 1999, he was voted the 21st greatest footballer of all time in World Soccer’slist of the 100 greatest footballers of the twentieth century. In 2002, he was chosen as a defender on the FIFA World Cup Dream Team, and in 2004 he was named as one of the Top 125 greatest living footballers as part of FIFA’s 100th anniversary celebration.
He has a record of scoring the fastest goal in Champions League final which came only after 51 seconds against Liverpool in 2005, though Milan lost the final in penalty shootout after leading 3-0 at half time, Maldini and co took a sweet revenge two years later when they won 2-1 against Liverpool in Champions League final at Athens in 2007. He has featured in eight Champions League final, winning five of them. No modern footballer is even close to that feat.
Maldini is considered to have been one of the greatest defenders of all time, and has been described as an icon and gentleman of the game. He has been known for his calm and correct behaviour on the pitch, preferring elegance and intelligence to physicality and aggression when defending, and only having picked up a single red card throughout his footballing career, in a friendly match.
In a tribute to Maldini, Milan retired his no. 3 shirt.
Midfielders:
Defensive Midfielder – Frank Rijkaard (Netherlands)
Milan (1988-1993)
Rijkaard ranks as the archetype ideal defensive midfielder. Tall, strong and aggressive, he would often steal more balls than all the defenders combined. At the same time he had an excellent technique and could even dribble his way forward. Rijkaard was one of the pillars under the success of Sacchi’s Milan. Marcel Desailly was a worthy replacement – but lacked Rijkaard’s skills on the ball.
Rijkaard was described by British broadsheet The Daily Telegraph as having been “a stylish player of faultless pedigree”. A complete, tenacious, and consistent midfielder, throughout his career he was praised by pundits for his physical and athletic attributes, his work rate, positioning, his acute tactical intelligence and decision making, as well as his outstanding ability to read the game. Rijkaard was also a strong tackler, who was adept at starting attacking plays once he won back possession. He also possessed a powerful shot. He is regarded as one of the best defensive midfielders in footballing history and one of the best players of his generation.
Rijkaard played for five seasons at Milan. It was coach Arrigo Sacchi who saw Rijkaard as playing a pivotal role at Milan and transformed the central defender into a world class holding midfielder, where the Dutchman’s aggressive and firm style would go on to influence the likes of Patrick Vieira to replicate in future years. Playing alongside fellow country-men Marco van Basten and Ruud Gullit, Rijkaard won the European Cup twice (in 1989 against Steaua Bucharest and 1990, against Benfica) and the scudetto twice. In the 1990 European Cup Final he scored the only goal to win the cup for Milan.
Right Central Midfielder – Ruud Gullit (Netherlands)
Milan (1987-1993)
Although he played most of his games for Milan as a second striker behind Van Basten, Gullit was litterally able to play anywhere. With his physique, speed, vision and technique he could be deployed as a striker, playmaker, winger, midfielder or even as a libero. This makes him the ideal wild card for any Milan Best XI. In this narrow team, his ability to dominate the right flank from midfield makes him perfectly suited for this position. Much more so than the limited Gattuso.
In 1987 he moved from PSV Eindhoven to Milan for a world record transfer fee. Easily recognizable with his distinctive dreadlocks, he was part of the famed Dutch trio at Milan which included Marco van Basten and Frank Rijkaard. Gullit won three Serie A titles and two European Cups with Milan.
Gullit was named the European Footballer of the Year in 1987 and the World Soccer Player of the Year in 1987 and 1989.
Gullit’s first season at Milan saw the club win Scudetto for the first time in 9 years, under coach Arrigo Sacchi. He was initially used on the right of an attacking trio alongside Van Basten and Pietro Virdis, but after an injury to Van Basten it was changed to a front two. The following season Milan built on their domestic success by adding the European Cup to their list of honours. Their scintillating 5-0 demolition of Real Madrid in the semi-final second leg came at a cost, as Gullit suffered an injury and required surgery to be fit in time for the final. That performance was followed by a 4-0 victory over Steaua Bucharest in the 1989 final with Gullit scoring two crucial goals.
Left Central Midfielder – Nils Liedholm (Sweden)
Milan (1949-1961)
Only men with gray hairs will have seen him play extensively, but Liedholm deserves recognition from everyone. Milan in the 50’s was built around Liedholm and his fellow Swedes Gunnar Gren and Gunnar Nordahl. Together, this fabled Gre-No-Li triumvirate led Milan the club’s first great era. Liedholm was a remarkable player in several ways. His determination on the field made him the perfect leader of the team, being of great importance in both offense and defense. And in a time when most footballers trained only a few times a week, Liedholm was one of the first players to realize the importance of physical exercise, dedicating himself to various athletic disciplines on a dialy basis. Finally, he built a reputation for his accurate passing. Legend has it that he once went two years without misplacing a pass. When he finally did give the ball to an opposing player, the San Siro crowd erupted in a standing ovation that lasted five minutes. Andrea Pirlo can only dream of a legacy like this.
In his first season with Milan, the midfielder played 37 games and scored 18 goals. In 1951, Liedholm won the first of his four scudetto titles. Another three titles followed in 1955, 1957 and 1959. A player with a club that was having the best spell of its life up to that point, Liedholm also won the Latin Cup in 1951 and 1956 and was Captain of Milan in the 1958 European Cup Final against Real Madrid, losing 2–3 (after extra time). It is said that Real Madrid great Alfredo Di Stefano who, felt despite victory knew it was a match Milan could have won. Asking Liedholm to exchange shirts, Liedholm said to him “Keep it. That won’t matter. The only thing that will be remembered from this match down the years is that Real Madrid won”.
Liedholm was also one of the first players to realise the importance of fitness to a good performance. Liedholm was renowned for his excellent passing ability throughout his career, as well as his vision, control, class, and his elegant style of play. Consequently, he put in many more hours of training than other players, saying himself that he did the 100 metres, 3000 metres, javelin, shot put and high jump twice a week. His club career would continue until he was almost 40.
Right Attacking Central Midfielder – Gianni Rivera (Italy)
Milan (1960-1979)
The Golden Boy. Milan’s greatest creative force. and perhaps Italy’s as well. A playmaker with equal dribbling and passing abilities, his career in Milan spanned nearly two decades, in which he played an astounding 658 matches. Two times winner of the European Cup, he had a decisive influence in both the 1963 and 1969 finals. Finally won the Ballon d’Or in 1969.
Rivera was an elegant, efficitent, and creative offensive midfield playmaker, with an eye for goal, who possessed excellent technical ability, footballing intelligence, vision, and class. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest Italian footballers and one of the most talented playmakers of all time. In 2004, Pele chose Rivera as part of the FIFA 100 greatest living footballers, and he placed 35th in the UEFA Golden Jubilee Poll.
Rivera’s 1962 scudetto victory with Milan, under legendary manager and catenaccio mastermind Nereo Rocco, enabled the team to qualify for the European Cup in 1962, aEuropean Cup which the team finally won for the first time, beating Benfica 2–1 in the 1963 final. Rivera was in great form during the match, providing two notable assists for Jose Altafini’s goals, and he was awarded second place in the famous Ballon d’Or award that year, which was won by the Russian goalkeeper Lev Yashin.
Rivera and AC Milan emerged victorious in the European Cup, winning the final over Johann Cruyff’s Ajax, a match which is regarded as one of Rivera’s greatest, most dominant, and most virtuosic performances, as he captained Milan to a 4-1 victory in the number 10 role at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, setting up one of Prati’s three goals. In addition to the European Cup that season, Rivera also won the Intercontinental Cup, successes that finally earned him the Ballon d’Or in 1969.
Left Attacking Midfielder – Kaka (Brazil)
Milan (2003-2009 & 2013-2014)
When he arrived in Milan, Kaká was virtually unknown in Europe. A year later, he had played Rui Costa and Rivaldo out of the team. Thanks primarliy to his excellent performances in Europe, Milan reached two Champions League finals in three years, with the 2007 victory coinciding with Kaká receiving the Ballon d’Or. In his prime, his speed, vision, excellent technique, scoring ability and professionalism made him a weapon any team would be envious of. His ability to shine when it matters puts him beyond the equally talented, but less effective Dejan Savicevic.
In 2003 he joined Milan for a fee of €8.5 million. While at Milan, Kaká won a Serie A title and the UEFA Champions League, and in 2007 he received the FIFA World Player of the Year and Ballon d’Or awards.
Kaká played a pivotal role in Milan’s UEFA Champions League campaign that season, helping them to reach the final against Liverpool. Dubbed the Miracle of Istanbul, Milan led 3–0 at half time, before Liverpool staged a comeback, scoring three goals in six minutes, and eventually won the match 3–2 on penalties. A match widely regarded as one of the greatest finals in the competition’s history, Kaká was imperious in the first half, beginning the play that led to Hernan Crespo’s first goal and Milan’s second of the night, before executing a long curling pass that split open the Liverpool defence and rolled perfectly into the path of Crespo to score Milan’s third. Kaká was once again nominated for the Ballon d’Or and FIFA World Player of the Year Awards, finishing 9th and 8th in the respective rankings. After the 2006 Calciopoli scandal, however, Milan were deducted 30 points, which placed them in third place. Kaká was nominated for the Ballon d’Or and the FIFA World Player of the Year Awards for the third consecutive year, finishing 11th and 7th in the respective awards. He was also selected to be part of both the UEFA Team of the Year and the FIFPro World XI for the first time in his career. He finished as the top scorer in the 2006–07 Champions League campaign with ten goals. Milan went onto win the Champions League final where he assisted Inzaghi for the second goal. Kaká became the eighth Milan player to win the Ballon d’Or, as he finished with a decisive 444 votes, long ahead of runner-up Cristiano Ronaldo.
Following that year Milan also won FIFA Club World Cup by defeating Boca Juniors 4-2 where he scored once and assisted Inzaghi later. Kaka was voted the 2007 FIFA World Player of the Year with 1047 votes, ahead of Lionel Messi with 504 and Cristiano Ronaldo with 426, and was elected to be part of the FIFA World XI for the second time in his career, also winning the FIFPro World Player of the Year Award.
Forward:
Left Forward – Marco van Basten (Netherlands)
Milan (1987-1995)
Like Rijkaard, Van Basten’s quality was such that he warrants a place in three different all-time teams. Ajax, Holland and AC Milan. A central forward with the elegance of a winger, the vision and technique of a playmaker, and the finishing touch of a striker, it’s little wonder why he won the Ballon d’Or on three different occassians, despite effectively having to quit football when he was only 28 years old. Shevchenko did justice to Van Basten’s legacy, but could never quite equal him.
Known for his close ball control, attacking intelligence and spectacular strikes and volleys, Van Basten was named FIFA World Player of the Year in 1992, and European Footballer of the Year three times (1988, 1989 and 1992). In 1999 he was ranked sixth in the FIFA Player of the Century internet poll, tenth in the European player of the Century election held by the IFFHS, and twelfth in the IFFHS World Player of the Century election. He was also voted eighth in a poll organised by the French magazine France Football consulting their former Ballon d’Or winners to elect the Football Player of the Century
In 1988–89, Van Basten won the Ballon d’Or as Europe’s top footballer. He scored 19 goals in Serie A and scored two goals in the final of the European Cup as Milan triumphed against Steaua Bucharest. In 1989–90, he became Capocannoniere, Serie A’s leading goal scorer, and Milan successfully defended the European Cup after beating Benfica in the final match. In 1992, he became the first player to score four goals in a Champions League match, against IFK Göteborg, including a picture perfect bicycle kick. Later that year Van Basten was named FIFA World Player of the Year.
Milan stretched their unbeaten run into the 1992–93 season, going 58 matches over two seasons before they lost a game. Van Basten played exceptionally well in the early part of the season. He was again voted the European player of the year, becoming the third player after Johan Cruyff and Michel Platini to win the award three times.
He played his last game in 1993 at the age of 28 due to an injury which caused his retirement two years later. Had not for his career ending injury Van Basten would’ve achieve more glory.
Right Forward – Gunnar Nordahl (Sweden)
Milan (1949-1956)
Part of legendary Gre-No-Li triumvirate, Nordahl remains to this day Milan’s all-time topscorer, with 210 goals in 257 games. His scoring ratio of 0.77 goals per game also makes him the Serie A’s most efficient goalscorer in history. His records loomed over the performances of his successor but less effective Jose Altafini.
Nordahl joined AC Milan in 1949. Later, he would team up with his national team strike partners, Gunnar Grenand Nils Liedholm to form the renowned Gre-No-Li trio. Playing eight seasons with AC Milan, he is Serie A’s multi-top-scorer a record five times (1949–50, 1950–51, 1952–53, 1953–54 and 1954–55). Nordahl is also AC Milan’s all-time top-scorer, with 210 league goals. He is still the third-highest Serie A goalscorer of all time, with 225 goals in 291 matches. Only Silvio Piola and Francesco Totti have scored more goals in that division. That makes Nordahl the top goalscorer among non-Italian players.
So here we conclude with the ‘The Greatest Milan XI of All-Time’
Captain: Franco Baresi
Manager: Arrigo Sacchi
