One of the most prized clubs in the world, AC Milan has won seven European Cup/Champions League titles and eighteen league titles. Here are some of the best I Rossoneri players that guided the team to the top of world football.
Paolo Maldini
The legendary defender Paolo Maldini spent his entire 25-year career with AC Milan. The five-time Champions League winner captained the side 419 times, leading the team to 7 league championships, 5 Italian Supercups, a National Cup, 5 European Supercups, and 2 Intercontinental cups, along with a 2nd place finish at the World Cup with the Italian side. Praised for his longevity and professionalism, Maldini rejoined the team in 2018 as Sporting Strategy & Development Director.
Kaka
Kaka played 6 years at the San Siro as an attacking midfielder, earning over 200 domestic league caps and notching nearly 100 goals. The 2007 Ballon d’Or winner was virtually unstoppable in his prime, where he also won Champions League in 2007, along with an Italian Championship, Italian Super Cup, a UEFA Supercup.
Andrea Pirlo
The midfield maestro Andrea Pirlo catalyzed the Red and Blacks during their two Champions League victories. A composed player, Pirlo made up for his lack of speed with his on-field intelligence, his ability to find space when dribbling, and his swift passing ability. He was also a free-kick master. Pirlo also won the league while at Juventus, along with 2 Italian Cups, Italian Supercup, and Supercup winner.
Andriy Shevchenko
The second-highest goalscorer in AC Milan’s history, the Ukrainian Andriy Shevchenko netted 175 goals over 8 seasons (296 games) and won the Ballon d’Or in 2004. While trophyless his first four years, he nonetheless won the Champions League in 2004 along with an Italian Super Cup. He had already won the Italian Cup and Serie A in 2003.
Marco van Basten
Considered one of the greatest footballers of all time, Marco van Basten played six years for the Rossoneri bowing out with 201 domestic league appearances and 124 goals to his name. During his time at the San Siro, he won the 1992 Ballon d’Or, a pair of European Cups, three Italian Cups, and was a two-time UEFA Supercup winner.
Franco Baresi
The Italian defender Franco Baresi played two decades with AC Milan where he served as captain for 15 of them and earned 719 outings total. By the end of his career, he won the Scudetto six times and along with three European Cups.
Gianni Rivera
The former captain, AC Milan midfielder played 19-years with the red and blacks. Nicknamed the Golden Boy, he helped Milan win a pair of European Cups along with 3 Italian league titles, 4 Italian Cups, 2 Cup Winners’ Cups. He was awarded the Ballon d’Or in 1969.
Ruud Gullit
Winning the Ballon d’Or in his inaugural 1987 year with AC Milan, the Dutch frontman earned 165 games caps with the club and scored 53 times. Along with fellow Dutch players Marco van Basten and Frank Rijkaard, the team won a pair of European Cups from 88 – 90 seasons, 3 Italian league titles, 2 Italian Super Cups, and 1 Intercontinental Cup.
Gunnar Nordahl
The Swedish striker played 7 years with the AC Milan side, setting a record 221 goals and winning the Best Player in Europe in 1969. He earned two Serie A titles, a pair of Champion Club’s Cups, and 4 Italian Cups.
Alessandro Costacurta
A five-time Champions League winner, the Italian center back played 3 decades in his 21-years with the club. In his 401 appearances, he earned a haul of trophies including 5 Champions League wins, 7 domestic league titles, 7 Italian Super Cups, and 3 UEFA Supercups.
Clarence Seedorf
The Dutch central-midfielder Clarence Seerdort earned over 300 caps in his decade-long career with the AC Milan side. A versatile and strong player with excellent stamina, he helped the side win Champions League, the Italian League, the Italian Super Cup, a UEFA Super Cup, and one Intercontinental Cup.
George Weah
A former Ballon d’Or winner at Paris Saint-Germain, the center-forward George Weah powered the AC Milan side to two league titles in his five years at the San Siro where he earned 114 domestic league appearances and scored nearly 50 goals.
