We take a look at the best AC Milan players of all time. This is Associazione Calcio Milan, one of the worlds richest clubs both in history and financially.
As a result the Rossoneri have been able to attract some of the greatest players in European football history. Here’s our top ten:
10. Clarence Seedorf
After coming through Ajax’s famed youth academy, Clarence Seedorf went on to play a huge role in the Milan team of the 2000s that won two European titles. During his ten years at Milan he played in 432 games, scoring 62 goals.
Seedorf orchestrated the midfield and dominated Serie A during its golden era. There’s no better proof of Seedorf’s impact than being the only player in history to win the Champions League with three different clubs.
9. Ronaldinho
The only thing more flamboyant than Ronaldinho’s long, wavy hair was his godly dribbling ability and ball control that puts him in the conversation for most technically gifted player of all time.
Ronaldinho only needed 76 Serie A, and 12 Champions League games in three seasons to become one of the best AC Milan players ever. He won a single league and San Siro will never forget his cheeky smile.
8. Alessandro Nesta
Alessandro Nesta was a roadblock at the back for AC Milan. Like Ja Rule’s greatest ever hit “Always on Time”, Nesta was always there when Milan called, and was always on time at the right place.
After 336 games, two Serie A titles and a Champions League in ten seasons for the club, he left a legacy of physicality, acrobatics and elegance that we haven’t seen from a centre-back since his retirement from football in 2014.
7. Andrea Pirlo
Andrea Pirlo isn’t going to win a popularity contest. After a ten seasons where he played 401 games and 41 goals for the club, he left for bitter rivals Juventus and has the audacity to rubbish the club he had so loyally served.
Before his ultimate betrayal, Pirlo was an absolute beast in midfield helping Milan to two Serie A and Champions League titles. He could see a pass before anyone else could, and control and hit a pass that others would write off as impossible.
6. Ruud Gullit
Ruud Gullit cemented his spot as one of the best AC Milan players of all time in his first season at Milan in 1987 by winning the Ballon d’Or. Through seven seasons at the club he won three league titles.
Mostly playing as an attacking midfielder, he could also play upfront, down the flank or as a sweeper. His versatility earned Gullit icon status in world football and he could dominate both in attack and defence.
5. Andriy Shevchenko
In his prime Andriy Shevchenko was one of the most devastating strikers in the world after joining Milan from Dynamo Kyiv in 1999. Physically he was imposing and had the position awareness to match.
Despite the 2005 Champions League title still haunting Shevchenko to this day he won the 2003 edition, and the Serie A the following season as well as the Ballon d’Or. He left for Chelsea in 2006 but not before scoring 173 goals in 296 appearances for the Rossoneri.
4. Marco van Basten
Dutch legend Marco van Basten was an explosive player with a vicious strike, ferocious volley and precision headers. One of the best AC Milan players ever, he managed 129 goals from 205 games through eight seasons.
Van Basten’s explosives caught up to him having to retire at age 28 due to recurring ankle injuries. Despite the shortened career he won three Serie A titles, the European Cup twice, and was awarded Ballon d’Or three times.
3. Kaká
AC Milan nabbed Kaká from São Paulo FC and he developed into one of the best midfielders of his generation. He could split any defence and his explosiveness during his prime was unstoppable.
After six seasons he’d move on to Real Madrid but not before making 307 appearances and scoring 104 goals. While at the club he beat out both Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to earn the 2007 Ballon d’Or.
2. Franco Baresi
Second on our list of best AC Milan players is defensive stalwart Franco Baresi. Playing most of his career as a sweeper, he served as club captain for 15 years and spent all 29 seasons of his career in Milan.
His ability, playability and tactical awareness was well ahead of anyone else on the pitch and he did it all with a level of unmatched consistency, elegance and power on his way to six Serie A titles.
1. Paolo Maldini
The greatest AC Milan player of all time, Paolo Maldini is a football icon and spent his entire 25-year career at the club, winning 26 major trophies along the way. Seven of those were Serie A titles and five were Champions League successes.
There’s been no better left back than Maldini in football history. He played 902 games for the club and his duels with Alessandro Del Piero has been the pinnacle of Serie A football.