Lorenzo BUFFON 1949-59
Goalkeeper who along with Nils Liedholm won four championships with Milan in the 1950s. Made his debut at the age of 20 while he was fourth choice and kept the No 1 jersey for the next decade. Also played 15 times for Italy before moving to Genoa and Inter.
Mauro TASSOTTI 1980-1997
Mauro Tassotti played 581 games in all for the Rossoneri. Was signed from Lazio and went on to become one of the most consistent players in the Italian game. Eventually won international honours, but only after Arrigo Sacchi was national boss.
Franco BARESI 1977-1997
Voted Italy’s Player of the Century, Franco Baresi will long be remembered as one of the all-time greats. Played 716 games for Milan in a 20-year stay that saw him become the lynchpin of one of the strongest defences in the history of the Italian game. When he retired, Milan withdrew his No 6 shirt.
Paolo MALDINI 1985-
Former Italian captain and most capped international player, Maldini established himself as the world’s best left-sided defenders in the early 1990s. The son of another Milan hero in Cesare, Paolo has won almost every single club honour there is available.
Giovanni TRAPATTONI 1960-71
Ex-national Coach, Trapattoni made his name in the game as a tough tackling midfielder with the Rossoneri. Played over a decade with the club and won many honours including two Serie A titles and two European Cups. Famously once man marked Pele out of an international game in 1963.
Frank RIJKAARD 1988-93
Dutch midfielder who was part of the Dutch trio of the classic Milan side of the late 80s. A much under-rated holding midfielder, Rijkaard was perhaps the most important Dutch element of the side. Played 148 Serie A games, scoring 16 goals.
Gianni RIVERA 1960-79
The original Golden Boy of Italian football, this stylish midfielder performed at dizzy heights for Milan for over 15 years. He debuted as a fresh faced 19-year-old shortly after signing from Alessandria and became an established international – even without ever showing the same sort of club form for his country.
Nils LIEDHOLM 1949-61
A master of passing, Liedholm played 359 gamers for the club and scored 81 goals. ‘Liddas’ also successfully coached Milan to the Serie A title and later repeated the feat with Roma. They say he went two seasons without misplacing a pass...
Gunnar NORDAHL 1949-56
Winner of the Capocannoniere crown five times during his time with Milan, the Swedish giant became a legend of the Italian game. Scored 210 goals for the club including 35 League goals in just one season. Nicknamed ‘il pompiere’ – the fireman – due to his profession in his homeland.
Marco VAN BASTEN 1987-95
Flying Dutch centre-forward who was instrumental in Milan’s late 80s and early 90s success. Three times European Footballer of the Year, Van Basten scored 108 goals in 168 matches for the club. Crowned Serie A top scorer twice, he was forced to retire in 1995 due to an ankle injury.
Jose ALTAFINI 1959-66
Brazilian attacker who won the title with Milan in his debut season with the side. The agile forward also became an integral part of the team that lifted the European Cup in 1963. Later played for Napoli and Juventus. Was nicknamed ‘Conileone’ – half rabbit, half lion. |
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Arrived from Serie B outfit Parma and immediately led Milan to the title in his debut season in Serie A. Spent four years at the club where the side never failed to finish lower than third. Also led the outfit to two European Cup victories, two Intercontinental titles and a European Super Cup. Played a massive part in revolutionising Italian football with his 4-4-2 pressing game.