Who is the best player in Italy national team history?

Italy's Azzurri has produced some of football's finest defenders and maestros — who is the greatest in Azzurri history?

Roberto Baggio

Beloved across Italy and the world for his brilliance, spirituality, and 1994 World Cup heroics despite the final penalty.

1/14

Paolo Maldini

The definitive modern defender, two-time World Cup finalist and AC Milan legend.

2/14

Dino Zoff

Won the 1982 World Cup as captain at age 40, considered the greatest Italian goalkeeper.

3/14

Gianluigi Buffon

World Cup winner in 2006 and one of the most decorated goalkeepers in history.

4/14

Giuseppe Meazza

Won the World Cup in 1934 and 1938; the San Siro stadium in Milan is named after him.

5/14

Sandro Mazzola

European Cup winner and key member of Italy's 1960s and 1970s international squads.

6/14

Luigi Riva

Italy's all-time top scorer (35 goals) and the 1968 European Championship winner.

7/14

Francesco Totti

2006 World Cup winner and Italy's romantic hero, a one-club man who gave his career to Roma.

8/14

Giacinto Facchetti

Pioneered the attacking full-back role and captained Italy to the 1968 Euro title.

9/14

Fabio Cannavaro

2006 World Cup winner and that year's Ballon d'Or winner — the last defender to win the award.

10/14

Silvio Piola

Prolific 1938 World Cup winner who remains the highest-scoring Italian of all time in competitive play.

11/14

Giorgio Chiellini

Italy's defensive backbone for over a decade and EURO 2020 winning captain.

12/14

Andrea Pirlo

2006 World Cup winner and the master of the deep-lying playmaker role.

13/14

Valentino Mazzola

Pre-war era icon, captain of the legendary Grande Torino before the Superga air disaster.

14/14