# Who is the best midfielder in Italy national team history?

> From the silky touches of Gianni Rivera to the vision of Andrea Pirlo, Italy has produced some of the most technically gifted midfielders in football history. Vote for the greatest.

*By YPB Team · Published May 26, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/who-is-the-best-midfielder-in-italy-national-team-history*

---

## Current results (no votes yet)

1. **Andrea Pirlo**
   Elegant deep-lying playmaker who orchestrated Italy's 2006 World Cup triumph.
2. **Roberto Baggio**
   Visionary attacking midfielder whose magic lit up the 1990 and 1994 World Cups.
3. **Gianni Rivera**
   AC Milan maestro and 1969 Ballon d'Or winner, Italy's quintessential creative midfielder.
4. **Sandro Mazzola**
   Inter legend and architect of Italy's 1968 European Championship victory.
5. **Marco Tardelli**
   Industrious midfielder immortalized by his ecstatic goal celebration at the 1982 World Cup.
6. **Daniele De Rossi**
   Box-to-box Roma captain who served the Azzurri with distinction for over a decade.
7. **Gennaro Gattuso**
   Ferocious defensive midfielder and key enforcer in Italy's 2006 World Cup winning squad.
8. **Jorginho**
   Metronome midfielder who anchored Italy's remarkable Euro 2020 triumph.
9. **Marco Verratti**
   PSG's technically sublime midfielder renowned for his dribbling and vision in tight spaces.
10. **Nicola Barella**
   Inter Milan powerhouse and driving force in Italy's current midfield generation.
11. **Franco Causio**
   Tricky right midfielder known for his skill and flair in Italy's 1970s and 1982 squads.
12. **Lorenzo Pellegrini**
   Roma captain and creative midfielder who has led Italy's attacking play in recent years.

Tags: europe, sports, italy, portrait, football, world cup