AC Milan is one of the most storied clubs in Europe, with some of the biggest legends of the game having donned the red and black shirt at San Siro. Here’s a look at the greatest Rossoneri players of all time.
1. Paolo Maldini:
Paolo Maldini is the brightest star in Milan’s Hall of Fame. The legendary defender crafted an unmatched legacy with five European Cups, seven Scudetti, and 21 major trophies over a 25-season career. Even after the likes of Baresi and Tassotti hung up their boots, Maldini carried the torch and continued to command the backline with grace and authority.
Bookmakers would offer long odds on Milan conceding a goal when peak Maldini was playing at the back. Alongside Franco Baresi, he formed one of the most formidable defensive partnerships in the history of European football. Together, they conceded only 298 goals in 400 matches - that’s less than 0.75 goals per match.
2. Franco Baresi:
Franco Baresi was the connecting thread of the legendary Milan defence that featured the likes of Maldini, Costacurta, and Tassotti. Together, they led the Rossoneri to five domestic titles, three continental triumphs, and global recognition as the game’s finest club side.
Baresi wore the captain’s armband at Milan in the last 15 seasons of his career. The Brazilian great Pele recognised his greatness with a place on his FIFA 100 list. His iconic number six shirt, one of only two numbers ever retired by the club, is widely believed to be gone for good.
3. Gianni Rivera:
Gianni Rivera’s career set a standard for loyalty and greatness at Milan. After a brief spell at Alessandria, he committed 19 years to the club, leading as captain for 13 and retiring as a beloved figure in red and black. Such dedication from a player of his talent is virtually unheard of today.
Many new betting sites nowadays provide odds for a player’s next destination. While footballers were more loyal in the past, Rivera still belonged to that rare breed who devoted their entire careers to one club.
After leaving his hometown side, he went on to make more appearances for the Rossoneri than anyone before him. At the time, Omero Tognon held the club record with 342 games. But Rivera played in an era full of legends, with Liedholm, Cesare Maldini, and Anquilletti each setting new benchmarks, until Rivera surpassed them all.
4. Marco Van Basten:
Silvio Berlusconi’s purchase of Milan in 1986 came with serious ambition, and his first major statement was securing the Dutch trio of Gullit, Rijkaard, and Van Basten. The latter had already reached stardom at Ajax, where his goal-scoring feats were turning heads across Europe. Bookies were convinced that he would bring his scoring boots to Italy, and he didn’t disappoint.
Although injuries limited him to just seven fully fit seasons, Van Basten climbed high on Milan’s all-time scoring charts, holding fifth place until eventually being overtaken by Andriy Shevchenko and Filippo Inzaghi.
The Dutchman was instrumental in Milan’s late-80s, early 90s dominance in Italy and Europe. If he did not have to cut his mercurial career short because of injuries, Van Basten might have come up higher in this list.
5. Alessandro Costacurta:
A mainstay at the back during Milan’s most successful years, Costacurta was part of a glittering team featuring icons such as Baresi, Maldini, and Van Basten. It was a squad that ruled both Serie A and Europe.
With 663 appearances, Costacurta ranks third on Milan’s all-time list, trailing only legends Franco Baresi and Paolo Maldini. Safe to say this is a trio whose records are unlikely to be touched any time soon. Costacurta’s trophy haul, built during the club’s Golden Age, is among the most impressive in football history.
6. Andriy Shevchenko:
Though his time at Milan may seem brief in retrospect, Shevchenko was a goal machine. With 175 strikes, he's second only to Gunnar Nordahl, and few look likely to challenge that any time soon.
Scoring was second nature to him; not just in big games, but week in, week out. If he had never left for Chelsea, he might have eclipsed every Milan great. But by the time he returned on loan in 2008, that window had closed.
Shevchenko won the Ballon d’Or for his Milan heroics, but the Ukrainian failed to live up to his name after leaving San Siro.
7. Andrea Pirlo:
Andrea Pirlo is a player who passes the eye test with flying colours. He played a big role in Milan’s successful UCL campaigns in 2003 and 2007 with an incredible ability to control the midfield.
Pirlo kept producing moments of magic for Milan even deep into his 30s. In back-to-back seasons, he netted two unforgettable goals: a surprise shot past Iker Casillas at the Bernabeu and a spectacular rocket against Parma.
