# 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?

*By YPB Team · Published May 19, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/who-is-the-best-player-in-italy-national-team-history*

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## Current results (0 votes)

1. **Roberto Baggio**
   Beloved across Italy and the world for his brilliance, spirituality, and 1994 World Cup heroics despite the final penalty.
2. **Paolo Maldini**
   The definitive modern defender, two-time World Cup finalist and AC Milan legend.
3. **Dino Zoff**
   Won the 1982 World Cup as captain at age 40, considered the greatest Italian goalkeeper.
4. **Gianluigi Buffon**
   World Cup winner in 2006 and one of the most decorated goalkeepers in history.
5. **Giuseppe Meazza**
   Won the World Cup in 1934 and 1938; the San Siro stadium in Milan is named after him.
6. **Sandro Mazzola**
   European Cup winner and key member of Italy's 1960s and 1970s international squads.
7. **Luigi Riva**
   Italy's all-time top scorer (35 goals) and the 1968 European Championship winner.
8. **Francesco Totti**
   2006 World Cup winner and Italy's romantic hero, a one-club man who gave his career to Roma.
9. **Giacinto Facchetti**
   Pioneered the attacking full-back role and captained Italy to the 1968 Euro title.
10. **Fabio Cannavaro**
   2006 World Cup winner and that year's Ballon d'Or winner — the last defender to win the award.
11. **Silvio Piola**
   Prolific 1938 World Cup winner who remains the highest-scoring Italian of all time in competitive play.
12. **Giorgio Chiellini**
   Italy's defensive backbone for over a decade and EURO 2020 winning captain.
13. **Andrea Pirlo**
   2006 World Cup winner and the master of the deep-lying playmaker role.
14. **Valentino Mazzola**
   Pre-war era icon, captain of the legendary Grande Torino before the Superga air disaster.

Tags: italy, football, players, world cup, legends, all-time, national teams