Italy’s Greatest Football Players of All Time

Italy is known worldwide as a footballing country where a staunch defence is paramount above all else.

Yet the Italians still manage to produce an artist amongst those fantastic defenders and goalkeepers on a regular basis.

Be it a midfield metronome with boundless range, a striker with the instinct to sniff out a chance or a goalkeeper with superhuman reflexes, the Southern European nation has a wealth of talent to choose from who have worn the crest in the past 125 years.

Gli Azzurri are one of the most successful national teams in association football; with over 5 international trophies including 4 FIFA World Cups (1934,1938, 1982 and 2006), 1 UEFA European Championship triumph in 1968 and 1 Olympic Gold medal from the 1936 football tournament.

This list makes the case for 5 players as the best to have represented Italy based on caps, success and influence:

Dino Zoff

Position: Goalkeeper

Caps: 112

Dino Zoff was 7 years into his professional career before he got his debut with the Italian national team in 1968 at 26 years old.

His debut came in the QF of the 1968 European Championships, and Zoff had an international medal by his 4th cap as Italy won it all on home soil. He was given a deputy role in the Azzurri’s 1970 WC run to the final (lost to Brazil) before becoming undisputed #1 from 1972 onwards.

Zoff and Italy had a poor ’74 WC, being eliminated in the group stages before redeeming their nation in the ’78 WC with a run to the semis. Zoff kept 3 clean sheets in the process and had a good tournament, though a goal through his error in the semis stained his overall performance.

Zoff continued his good form in Azzurri colours for a few years going into 1980, as Italy made the semis again in the European Championships, with Zoff named ‘keeper of the tournament with 3 clean sheets and one goal conceded.

Zoff’s greatest moment came at 40 years old as he captained Italy to 1982 World Cup victory in Spain, becoming the oldest ever winner of the WC. He was named ‘keeper of the tournament once again here, before retiring in 1983 at 41. Zoff was professional and composed intense moments, yet communicated with defenders when necessary.

He was traditional with a great grasp of fundamentals in positioning, athletic enough to make reaction saves and had a good understanding of the game overall.

Fabio Cannavaro

Position: Centre-back

Caps: 136

Goals: 2

Cannavaro is the personification of a myth buster, with one of the greatest defenders of all-time standing at 5 feet and 9 inches.

Played primarily as a centre-back throughout his career, Cannavaro excelled in a role where height and size are seen as prerequisites to success in the position.

Cannavaro made his Italy debut in 1997 at 24 years old as his good form coincided with club Parma finishing runners-up in Serie A by only two points.

He immediately became a regular in the national team due to his ball-playing ability and defensive intelligence, starting several games for the Azzurri in the 1998 World Cup QF exit and in their Euro 2000 run to the final where France beat the Italians in heartbreaking fashion in extra-time.

Cannavaro became an untouchable in the 21st century, putting in fantastic performances in the controversial 2002 WC before replacing Paolo Maldini as captain from ’02 onwards. His and Italy’s Euro 2004 was disappointing but he captained his side to World Cup glory 2 years later, playing every game in central defence without receiving a single card. He played afterwards in a Confederations Cup and the 2010 WC before retiring from international football.

Cannavaro has the 2nd most appearances as an Italy captain with 79, and was as calm as he was inspirational for his country. He won the Ballon d’or and FIFA World Player of the Year in 2006.

Gianluigi Buffon

Position: Goalkeeper

Caps: 176

A child of a multisport family, Buffon was a prodigy from his teen years, making his club first-team debut in 1995 at 17 years old vs AC Milan.

Buffon kept a clean sheet in a bore draw and was hailed by legend Dino Zoff for his personality in the game. After 3 years of senior football, he was called up to the Azzurri squad in 1997 at 19-years old.

Buffon was the second-choice keeper at the 1998 World Cup, playing no minutes as Italy exited in the QF. As he began to gain a grip as starting GK for the Azzurri, Buffon was ruled out of Euro 2000 with a broken hand right before the tournament.

Francesco Toldo impressed at the Euros, meaning Buffon had to win the #1 spot back before the 2002 WC. He did, saving a penalty in an otherwise underwhelming tournament for Italy.

The shot-stopper remained as Italy’s #1 from 2002-2018; with stellar performances (2 goals conceded in 7 games, 5 clean sheets) leading to Buffon being named ‘keeper of the tournament in the 2006 WC as Italy triumphed. His save vs Lukas Podolski in the WC semifinal is regarded as one of the greatest in the sport’s history.

Buffon became captain of the Azzurri in 2012 at 34 years old and represented his nation in 2 WC’s, 3 European Championships and 1 Confederations Cup post-2006 before retiring in 2018, going down as one of the great international goalkeepers.

Buffon has the most caps in Azzurri history with 176, 40 more than 2nd-placed Fabio Cannavaro.

The Italian is known for his consistency, instinctive saves, agility and courage. His decision-making and intelligence grew as his career progressed; whilst his elite mentality was always evident, a reason why he ranks as one of the best Juventus players of all time as well.

Guiseppe Meazza

Position: Striker

Caps: 53

Goals: 33

Nicknamed ‘Il Genio’ (The Genius) during his career, Guiseppe Meazza’s nickname is evidence of the level of talent the Italian illustrated on a regular basis.

Often regarded as Italy’s greatest-ever player, Meazza’s career began at hometown club Inter Milan at 17 years old, scoring a brace in his professional debut. His debut in Serie A came 2 years later, and Meazza still holds the record for most goals in a debut season in Serie A, with 31 goals in 1929/30.

The national team took notice around this time and 19-year-old Meazza was called up to Italy’s senior team in 1930, scoring twice in another debut in his career. The striker continued to score, ensuring he was called up for the 1934 World Cup, playing every game and winning the Golden Ball for the best player in the tournament as Italy won the Cup.

Meazza then captained his country for the 1938 WC triumph in France, playing every match once again. His vision led to 1 goal and 2 assists in the knockout rounds, with both assists coming in the final win vs Hungary.

Meazza was known for his accurate shooting and creativity in passing, with fantastic dribbling ability as well. His agility helped improve his heading of the ball, and aided his frequent acrobatic efforts. A good set-piece taker as well, Meazza was also versatile.

A striker by nature, he would often play on the wing for the national team if required. He played his last game for the Azzurri at 29 in 1939, captaining the side to a 3-2 win vs Finland.

The World Famous San Siro Stadium, Home of AC Milan and Inter is actually named the Giuseppe Meazza, in honour of this fantastic player.

Andrea Pirlo

Position: Central Midfielder

Caps: 116

Goals: 13

A technical and creative deep-lying playmaker who started his career as an attacking midfielder, Andrea Pirlo made his debut for Italy in 2002 at 23 years old.

Making strides at club level under former Azzurri player and then-Milan manager Carlo Ancelotti, Pirlo began to break through in the Italian senior setup as he experienced continental and domestic success from 2002 onwards.

He started 2 of 3 group games as Italy crashed out in the group stage of Euro 2004, then was a mainstay in the starting eleven as the Italians won the World Cup in 2006.

Pirlo appeared in every game for Italy and assisted 4 goals along with scoring 1 of his own. 2 of his 4 assists came in the semifinal and final of the ‘06 WC, with the playmaker winning the Bronze ball as 3rd best player of the tournament.

Pirlo continued to be a regular for the Azzurri afterwards in 2 European Championships, 1 World Cup and a Confederations Cup, being named man of the match 3 times in Euro 2012 and in the team of the tournament in 2 tournaments.

His last appearance came in 2015 at 36 years old. Pirlo lacked pace and work rate but dictated the tempo of matches with vision and composure. He was also an accomplished set-piece taker, and primarily scored freekicks in his later years for Italy.

Admired by fans of all clubs, Pirlo was one of those players that oozed personality and was truly an incredible player to watch. He changed the way that deep-lying midfielders were looked at in terms of use of the ball, and will go down as one of the great ‘pivots’ of all-time. If I knew how to say ‘I love you’ in Italian, I would say it Andrea Pirlo above all other Italians for his contribution to the game.