Ranking The 10 Best AC Milan Players of All Time

AC Milan is one of the world’s most famous football clubs, and also the second-most successful club in European competitions. Here, we attempt to look into the top 10 best AC Milan players of all time.

Founded in 1899, the Rossoneri have been home to some of the finest players in the history of football. From defensive stalwarts like Franco Baresi, Paolo Maldini, & Alessandro Nesta to midfield magicians like Andrea Pirlo & Kaka to goal poachers like Andriy Shevchenko, Marco van Basten, & Inzaghi, the San Siro has seen a wide range of superstars who not just stunned Milan but the world.

Picking just 10 legends is nearly impossible for a historical club like AC Milan. Some legends will inevitably be left out, like Gennaro Gattuso, Alessandro Costacurta, Frank Rijkaard, and Cafu, who couldn’t make it into our list even after having a prolific career. However, each one of these players deserves to be included in the list of the best AC Milan players of all time.

Whether with thunderous goals, rock-solid defending, or pure magic displayed in midfield, they left a mark that will never fade. Six players have managed to win the Ballon d’Or award while playing for the Rossoneri. Still, after considering factors like their longevity, trophies won at the club, and their impact & influence, we have narrowed down our list of the top 10 players ever who have played for AC Milan. With that in mind, we move on to the ranking factors that decided our list of the best AC Milan players of all time.

Ranking Factors

Longevity: The primary factor while ranking the AC Milan best players was to look at their overall career longevity and how long these players performed for the club at their peak. Some of the top-ranked players here not only had long careers, but were top-class right till their last day of football.

Trophies won: The secondary parameter for ranking the best AC Milan players was to look at the trophies they won with the club. Like with every metric of success in football, trophies are integral to how well-remembered the players in question are.

Impact: The last parameter we considered while ranking the best AC Milan players of all time was their impact and influence during their time with the club. Keeping the above in mind, we move on to our actual list of the best AC Milan players of all time.

Top 10 Best AC Milan Players of All Time

10. Andriy Shevchenko

There’s no better way to start our list. The Ukrainian striker, Shevchenko, was cold-blooded in front of the goal. Shevchenko’s pace, power, and precision made him a force to reckon with. Who can forget his 2003 Champions League final penalty? Ice in his veins. Right?

His 2004 Ballon d’Or season was a masterclass in striking. Shevchenko was more than just a finisher; he could create, dribble, and dominate defenses single-handedly. Even in his second stint, the San Siro crowd adored him. Andriy Shevchenko won 5 trophies during his time with AC Milan, played 322 games, and scored 175 goals while assisting 46 times.

Ukrainian soccer icon Shevchenko was a highly well-rounded striker with physicality and exceptional finishing ability. The former Ballon d’Or winner was known for his movement off the ball and eye for goals. The Ukrainian talisman’s most memorable season with the Rossoneri came in 2004, when he won a treble with the club and went on to win the Ballon d’Or as well.

9. Ruud Gullit

Ruud Gullit was the heartbeat of Sacchi’s unstoppable Milan. He dominated as a striker, midfielder, and even a sweeper. His relentless energy made him a nightmare for defenders. Gullit wasn’t just physically imposing; his technical brilliance and leadership drove Milan to back-to-back European Cups. The Dutchman arrived in 1987 from PSV and went on to cement his place as one of the best midfielders in history. The Dutch midfielder played 171 games for the Rossoneri, netting 56 goals and racking up 38 assists in the process.

Gullit is often regarded as one of the complete and versatile players capable of playing in any position fit for his team, aiding at both the end defensively and offensively. Injuries tormented his career at the Rossoneri, ultimately leading him to be loaned to Sampdoria before he secured a free transfer to Chelsea. From winning the Scudetti and UEFA Champions League trophies to winning the Ballon d’Or award, Gullit also cemented his name amongst the best players in AC Milan history.

8. Kaka

The last true No. 10, Kaka at his peak, was unstoppable, dribbling past defenders with an effortless stride, bending shots into the top corner, and crafting attacks with ease. Truly a smiling assassin, his 2007 Ballon d’Or season was a work of art, especially his iconic solo run against Manchester United. Kaka played the game with joy and a rare mix of power and grace. That Champions League-winning campaign?

He carried Milan on his back. Even in his second stint, his love for the club never faded. Kaka’s talent was evident, he performed consistently during the biggest of games. He played 307 games for the club, scoring 104 times while assisting 81 times.

The Brazilian magician was a menace with the ball at his feet, dribbling past defenders as if they never existed. His speed, acceleration, and finishing ability made him one of the best players of AC Milan ever. No one can forget his dream run in 2007, winning the Ballon d’Or, FIFA World Player of the Year, and the UEFA Club Footballer of the Year.

During the 2006-07 UEFA Champions League, Kaka managed to outscore renowned players like Ruud van Nistelrooy, Didier Drogba, and Raul for the Golden Boot race, with 10 goals to his name.

7. Alessandro Nesta

While people and fans were focused on Paolo Maldini and Jaap Stam, Nesta was making great strides as a defender. Nesta’s slide tackles were a joy to watch. His arrival in 2002 solidified Milan’s backline, forming an impenetrable wall alongside Maldini. Big-game player? He was destroying players during their peak form at ease. Nesta had that rare ability to make world-class strikers disappear. Alessandra Nesta was a top baller during his active years; his fitness, awareness, and skills speak volumes as well.

Whether it was Thierry Henry, Ronaldo, or Eto’o, they all struggled against his calm dominance. Even the injuries couldn’t dull his brilliance. When fit, Nesta was simply untouchable. With a legacy looming over a decade, Nesta cemented his place as one of the best AC Milan players ever.

The Italian defender was known for his physical presence and defensive abilities. He often stood out for his impressive aerial duels, athleticism, and sliding tackles throughout his career. Nesta’s positional awareness, tactical sense, and ability to close down opponents in one-on-one situations make him one of the best defenders ever.

6. Andrea Pirlo

The man who made deep-lying playmaker an art form is the legendary Andrea Pirlo. The Italian midfielder was pure footballing poetry in a Milan jersey and is widely regarded as one of the greatest AC Milan players of all time. With his lazy elegance and control over his right foot, he dictated games without breaking a sweat. Remember the 2007 Champions League run of AC Milan? He was delivering masterclass after masterclass. Pirlo ended his career with the Rossoneri with two Scudetti, two UEFA Champions League titles, two UEFA Super Cups, and one FIFA Club World Cup.

Pirlo’s free-kicks were deadly. His pinpoint passes and his partnership with Gattuso were the perfect balance of elegance and dominance. The Rossoneri still dream of those effortless 50-yard balls that sliced defenses open. Also known as ‘Il Professore’, Pirlo’s vision to craft a play in a split second cemented his place as one of the best center-midfielders of all time.

His ability to score from free kicks and penalty spots makes up for his lack of speed and tackling abilities. Johan Cruyff once stated that Pirlo can make his feet do whatever he wants. A true genius of the game who will always be remembered as one of the best AC Milan players ever.

5. Clarence Seedorf

At number 5 on our list, we have the Dutch midfield general Clarence Seedorf. Seedorf was known as one of the best, well-rounded, and versatile players. The Dutch midfielder was a gifted individual with strength, pace, and stamina, which allowed him to play in several positions in midfield. He cemented his place as one of the best AC Milan players of all time. Seedorf’s ability to contribute and operate at both ends made him a key player for AC Milan. The first word that comes to mind when we hear the name Seedorf is strength.

However, his vision, passing, and thunderous long-range strikes also cemented his legacy as one of the best AC Milan players of all time. Who can forget his most iconic goal that he scored against Spanish club, Atletico Madrid, a sublime knuckleball strike from 40 yards out, tricking the goalkeeper in judging the line of the ball? Although he played as a midfielder most of his career, he occasionally operated as a playmaker, winger, or even played a box-to-box midfielder role for his team.

4. Gianni Rivera

In 4th position, we have Milan’s original Golden Boy, Gianni Rivera, who was a playmaker with unreal vision and elegance. For 19 years, his consistency in delivering passes seemed to defy physics. The Italian magician Rivera was a leader who led Milan, winning three league titles and two European Cups. Gianni Rivera is highly regarded as one of the best players of AC Milan in history. His magical touch on the ball and skillful dribbling made up for his lack of speed and height.

Gianni Rivera possessed exceptional footballing IQ, vision, and class. His ability to see and craft plays, tactical intelligence, and skillful dribbling make up for his lack of pace, defensive abilities, and stamina. With more than 600 games under his name for Rossoneri, his ability to score goals was unmatched. His calm composure & performances during the big matches made him one of AC Milan’s best players in their club history. Rivera was hailed as one of the greatest passers of all time and was known for his dribbling & distribution.

3. Franco Baresi

If Paolo Maldini was Milan’s heart, Franco Baresi was its spine, the ultimate sweeper who revolutionized defending with his grace. Baresi commanded the backline with fearless tackles, making even the best strikers look ordinary for almost two decades. The Italian defender played a pivotal role in Sacchi’s legendary side that dominated the European football circuit. Given his unmatched loyalty to the club, the Rossoneri retired his jersey number. A fitting tribute to a man who defined what it meant to be a club legend. His career with AC Milan spanned more than 20 years, from 1977 to 1997.

Baresi started his career with the Rossoneri in 1977 and went on to play 716 games in 19+ years. In 1999, he was voted AC Milan’s Player of the Century, a fitting award in recognition of his success. During his time at Rossoneri under Sacchi, he formed one of the most formidable defensive units of all time alongside Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Costacurta, and Mauro Tassotti. He was dubbed a complete defender with stamina, pace, strength, and aerial ability, and is easily one of the top 10 best AC Milan players of all time.

2. Marco van Basten

A striker so complete that it’s cruel that injuries cut his career short. Van Basten had everything: lethal finishing, sublime technique, and the ability to score spectacular goals. For Milan, he was the ultimate No. 9, delivering three Ballon d’Or trophies. Even defenders who knew what he’d do couldn’t stop him in his prime. A true artist whose peak remains the stuff of legend, many consider him one of AC Milan’s best players of all time. Basten played 201 games for AC Milan, netted 125 goals, and had 49 assists.

Marco van Basten was hailed as one of the most prolific goal-scoring strikers and one of the greatest strikers of all time. Coupled with his attacking mindset and deadly finishing ability, Basten terrorized defences throughout his career. Although he was known as a traditional striker, Basten possessed excellent vision to connect play and often played as a second striker for his team. Arrigo Sacchi, former AC Milan head coach, stated, “Marco van Basten remains for me the best striker of all time… I, above all, remember him for his elegance, his grace, and his incredible quality.“

1. Paolo Maldini

At the very top of our list, we have arguably one of AC Milan’s best players of all time. There will never be another defender like Paolo Maldini, a one-club titan who spent almost 2 and a half decades at Milan. Whether at left-back or center-back, his intelligence, composure, and leadership set the standard for defenders worldwide. Il Capitano lifting trophies in the iconic red & black jersey remains etched in the hearts of AC Milan fans all over the world. He won five Champions League trophies and seven Serie A titles during his time at the club. Hailed as one of the best one-club footballers of all time, Maldini spent 25 years with AC Milan, from 1985 to 2009.

Maldini wasn’t just a player; he was Milan’s soul. Five Champions League titles, seven Scudetti, and nearly 905 appearances speak for themselves. Even rivals respected him, and to this day, no defender has matched his longevity at the very top. He is often hailed as one of the best and toughest defenders in football history. Maldini was so elegant and skillful on the ball that sometimes it felt like he was a midfield player.

List of Top 10 AC Milan Players Ever