We take a look at the best Inter Milan players of all time. This is arguably Italy’s most storied football club, although AC Milan fans and their greatest players will have something to say about that.
Internazionale actually broke away from AC Milan in 1908 so they could sign foreign players. Fast forward to today, and these are the greatest ever player ever for the club:
10. Esteban Cambiasso
The more I looked into Esteban Cambiasso I couldn’t leave him off the list. Cambiasso enjoyed ten superb seasons at Inter helping the club to five league titles and the 2010 Champions League.
Cambiasso’s football wasn’t the prettiest, but he was the cog in the machine of Inter’s dominance during the mid 2000s and 2010s on the back of his intelligence, work ethic and ability to shift defence to attack.
9. Lothar Matthäus
German midfield maestro Lothar Matthäus was one of the greatest in his era and one of the best Inter Milan players ever. Fans loved him as they watched in awe how he dominated and controlled games.
In between his two stints at Bayern Munich, Matthäus enjoyed four seasons in Milan guiding Inter to the Serie A title in 1989, was awarded the Ballon d’Or in 1990, and won UEFA Cup the following year.
8. Alessandro Altobelli
Alessandro Altobelli is considered one of Inter Milan’s greatest players. An aerial threat, he was known for his acrobatics and also for his workhorse ethic.
The World Cup 1982 winner was prolific, scoring the second most goals for Inter with 209 in 11 seasons. Altobelli was also instrumental in helping Inter secure the Serie A title in 1980 and the Coppa Italia twice.
7. Mario Corso
Left winger Mario Corso debuted for Inter in 1957 and dominated through the 1960s and into the 70s. With the help of “God’s Left Foot” he helped secure four Serie A titles and two European Cups.
Corso was revered for his strengths with manipulating the ball especially with free kicks and crossing the ball, Though criticised for not running enough by some, he cemented himself as an Inter Milan icon.
6. Giuseppe Bergomi
Giuseppe Bergomi spent his entire 20-season career at Inter Milan and has the second most games for the club with 754 in total.
Bergomi was instrumental at the back, versatile and could play any position along the back line although was best at right back. He captained Inter to a Serie A title in 1989 and won three UEFA Cups.
5. Luis Suárez
Before the Uruguayan Luis Suárez we all know was the Spanish Luis Suárez, who starred as one of the best Inter Milan players in history guiding the club to three Serie A titles and two European Cups in the 1960s.
The Ballon d’Or 1960 award winner, Luis Suárez was known for his brilliant elegance and free flowing style of play. Typically he’d sit deep in midfield and create opportunities as well as scoring crucial goals.
4. Giacinto Facchetti
The pinnacle of leadership and discipline as well as becoming the first genuine world class fullback, Giacinto Facchetti endured 18 seasons at Inter Milan and played the third most games with 637 in total.
Facchetti on an individual level got as close to second place in Ballon d’Or voting in 1965. In his 18 years with Inter Milan, his only club, he won four Serie A titles, two European Cups and the Intercontinental Cup twice.
3. Ronaldo Nazário
Ronaldo Nazário is the original Ronaldo. Before he became the best Corinthians player ever*, he became one of Inter Milan’s greatest after arriving from Barcelona in 1997 the year he won his first Ballon d’Or.
Arriving after a world record £17m transfer fee, he only managed to play 68 Serie A games in five years. Despite the injuries he scored 49 goals, helped win the 1998 UEFA Cup, and left an unforgettable impact on fans.
2. Javier Zanetti
Argentine Javier Zanetti arrived from Banfield in 1995 and across 19 seasons became one of the best Inter Milan players ever. Mostly playing at right back, he’s ne of the best to ever play at the position.
Zanetti had the speed, power and intelligence to star both in attack and defence. Appearing in a record 758 games for Inter, “El Tractor” tirelessly won 16 trophies including the historic treble-winning season in 2009-2010.
1. Giuseppe Meazza
Giuseppe Meazza is Inter Milan’s most iconic legend and best player in history. So revered is he for his incredible skill, vision, and goal-scoring ability, the San Siro was named after him in 1980.
A three-time Serie A winner, Meazza scored 240 goals in 348 appearances for Inter with three top goalscorer awards. Also known for his antics off the pitch, Meazza became a national hero helping Italy win two World Cups.