Who Is the Best Player on AC Milan?- Update 2024

AC Milan is a ‘rival’ in the same city as Inter Milan. They also have many excellent players who have become icons not only in Italy but also around the world. It is not easy to list all the legends of the San Siro team. So at the request of readers, admin Kingsoccertips will select who is the best player on AC Milan ever which in our opinion are the most amazing and impressive.

Who is the best player on AC Milan ever?

1/ Nils Liedholm (1949 – 1961) – Best player on AC Milan

Nils Liedholm, a Swedish footballer, played for AC Milan from 1949 to 1961. He is regarded as one of the legendary players of both AC Milan and Swedish football. Nils Liedholm joined AC Milan in 1949 and enjoyed a successful career at the club, winning 4 Serie A titles, 2 Coppa Italia titles, 1 UEFA Champions League title, and 1 European Cup.

Andriy Shevchenko, a Ukrainian footballer, played as a forward for AC Milan, Chelsea, and Dynamo Kyiv. He was widely regarded as the best player on AC Milan during his time with the club, showcasing his incredible skill and goal-scoring ability. He was also a player with a keen tactical vision and the ability to create opportunities for his teammates.

2/ Andriy Shevchenko (1999 – 2006 and 2008 – 2009)

Andriy Shevchenko, a Ukrainian footballer, played as a forward for AC Milan, Chelsea, and Dynamo Kyiv. He was considered one of the world’s finest players in the 1990s and 2000s. During his time at Milan, the AC Milan legend won 7 titles, including 2 Serie A titles, 2 Champions League titles, 1 FIFA Club World Cup, and 1 UEFA Super Cup. He was also Milan’s all-time leading goal scorer with 175 goals.

Shevchenko is renowned for his extremely accurate finishing from any position. He had powerful and precise heading ability and the capability to shoot with both his left and right foot with agility and strength. He is often regarded as the best player on AC Milan, solidifying his status as a club legend.

3/ Alessandro Costacurta (1986 – 2007)

Another legendary AC Milan player is Alessandro Costacurta, a former Italian footballer who played for the club from 1986 to 2007. He is considered one of the greatest center-backs of all time. Alessandro Costacurta has won 7 Serie A titles, 5 Champions League titles, 5 European Super Cups, 2 Intercontinental Cups, 1 UEFA Super Cup, and 1 Italian Cup.

Costacurta is an all-round centre-back, with very good defensive ability. He is also a player with great individual technique and very accurate passes. He has a very high team spirit and is always ready to sacrifice himself for the team.

4/ Marco van Basten (1987 – 1995) – Best player on AC Milan

Marco van Basten, a Dutch footballer, is ranked 4th among the top legendary AC Milan players. He played for AC Milan from 1987 to 1995. Van Basten won 3 Serie A, 4 Champions League, 1 C1 Cup, 1 C2 Cup, 1 C3 Cup, and 2 Serie A top scorer titles.

He also scored the winning goal in the 1989 Champions League final, helping AC Milan to victory over Steaua Bucharest. Marco is known for his excellent scoring ability and classy playing technique. Van Basten is one of the greatest strikers, known for his accurate finishing and ability to create scoring opportunities in seemingly impossible situations.

5/ Gunnar Nordahl (1949 – 1956)

Gunnar Nordahl, a former Swedish footballer, played for AC Milan from 1949 to 1956. He might be considered the best player on AC Milan of all time. Nordahl started playing football for IK Brage at the age of 16 and quickly became one of the team’s best players. He moved to AC Milan in 1949 and scored 221 goals in 200 matches for the team.

Nordahl is an integral part of ‘Gre-No-Li’, the nickname of the attacking trio of him and Gunnar Gren and Nils Liedholm. He is an excellent striker who has excellent goalscoring ability and is known for making good use of scoring opportunities.

6/ Andrea Pirlo (2001 – 2011)

Number 6 is Andrea Pirlo, one of the greatest midfielders in football history. He joined AC Milan in 2001 and immediately became one of the team’s brightest stars. The legendary AC Milan player has scored more than 100 goals in 400 matches for AC Milan, helping this team win 2 Serie A titles, 2 UEFA Champions League titles, and 1 FIFA Club World Cup. His impact on the club further solidifies his status as the best player on AC Milan in the modern era.

Pirlo is a talented central midfielder, possessing excellent passing, long-range shooting, and ball control. He is also a very intelligent player and can read the game very well. Italian football produces many talented midfielders, but appearing as a ‘2nd Pirlo’ is almost impossible. It will also be a long time before we can see it.

7/ Filippo Inzaghi (2001 – 2012) – Best player on AC Milan

Ranked 7th in the top 10 legendary players of AC Milan is Filippo Inzaghi, an Italian footballer who played for the club from 2001 to 2012. In 2001, he was recruited by AC Milan and quickly became one of the team’s key players.

During his time with AC Milan, Inzaghi won 7 Serie A titles, 5 Coppa Italia titles, 2 European Cups, and 1 FIFA Club World Cup. Inzaghi is a player who can finish very well, especially on set pieces. He is also a very intelligent player and can read the game very well. Inzaghi is known for his beautiful goal-scoring. His remarkable contributions solidified his reputation as the best player on AC Milan during his era.

8/ Gianni Rivera (1960 – 1979)

Next on the list of the greatest AC Milan legends is Gianni Rivera, a former Italian footballer who played for AC Milan from 1960 to 1979. He is considered one of the best players of all time. Rivera began playing football for AC Milan at the age of 16 and quickly became one of the team’s most important players.

He won 11 trophies with AC Milan, including 7 Serie A titles, 4 UEFA Champions League titles, and 1 UEFA Cup. Rivera is known for his excellent ball control, his ability to control the game, and his capacity to create dangerous situations. He is considered one of the players capable of analyzing the game and performing complex movements on the pitch, solidifying his reputation as the best player on AC Milan during his era.

9/ Franco Baresi (1978 – 1997)

Franco Baresi, the legendary AC Milan player, is considered one of the best central defenders of all time. Baresi played for AC Milan for 20 years, from 1978 to 1997. During that time, he won 7 Serie A titles, 5 Champions League titles, 1 Coppa Italia, 1 UEFA Cup, 1 FIFA Club World Cup, and 1 Supercoppa Italiana.

Franco Baresi is emblematic of AC Milan’s “zona mista” philosophy, the unique defensive system developed by coach Arrigo Sacchi. This system has shaped AC Milan’s style of play and has contributed significantly to their success.

10/ Paolo Maldini (1985 – 2009) – Best player on AC Milan

Paolo Maldini is one of the greatest legends in AC Milan’s club history. With over 1000 appearances, he and his teammates brought 7 Champions League titles, 1 Coppa Italia, 1 UEFA Cup, and 1 FIFA Club World Cup to the club. Born into a footballing family, Paolo Maldini is the son of Cesare Maldini, a former AC Milan player who also served as the team’s manager.

Maldini was known for his position as a left-back, later transitioning to center-back. He possessed a superb left foot, excellent defensive abilities, speed, and sharp game-reading skills. He is also one of the few players to have played for only one club throughout his entire career.

Conclusion

The above list of the best players in AC Milan’s history proves the great history of this club in the field of football. Milan fans always remember these heroes, including those recognized as the best player on AC Milan, and hope to see more emerging talents wearing AC Milan shirts, both within the club and in the wider footballing world. The tradition of excellence continues to inspire future generations of players and fans alike.

See also: Ranking the 10 Inter Milan best players of all time