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Italy
A team across generations. Build your eleven, then explore the careers.
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A team across generations
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The 330 on the pitch
The duels
Pick the greater legend. Every vote moves the people's ranking of Italy.
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The 33 of Italy.
Editorial order, with a career scene and sources behind every name.
02
Gianluigi Buffon 176 caps (Italy) · Parma Calcio 1913, Juventus · FIFA World Cup 2006The legendary 'Gigi' commanded his box for decades, a true icon who lifted the 2006 World Cup with Italy.
GK1997–2018
Gianluigi Buffon 176 caps (Italy) · Parma Calcio 1913, Juventus · FIFA World Cup 2006The legendary 'Gigi' commanded his box for decades, a true icon who lifted the 2006 World Cup with Italy.
GK1997–2018
04
Dino Zoff 112 caps (Italy) · Mantova 1911, SSC Napoli · FIFA World Cup 1982The oldest player to win a World Cup, his steadfast presence between the posts led Italy to glory in 1982.
GK1968–1983
Dino Zoff 112 caps (Italy) · Mantova 1911, SSC Napoli · FIFA World Cup 1982The oldest player to win a World Cup, his steadfast presence between the posts led Italy to glory in 1982.
GK1968–1983
05
Fabio Cannavaro 136 caps (Italy) · Parma Calcio 1913, Juventus · 1× Ballon d'OrThe inspirational captain who hoisted the 2006 World Cup, his defensive masterclass earned him the Ballon d'Or that same year.
CB1997–2010
Fabio Cannavaro 136 caps (Italy) · Parma Calcio 1913, Juventus · 1× Ballon d'OrThe inspirational captain who hoisted the 2006 World Cup, his defensive masterclass earned him the Ballon d'Or that same year.
CB1997–2010
06
Alessandro Nesta 78 caps (Italy) · SS Lazio, AC Milan · FIFA World Cup 2006A defender of sublime grace and power, his elegant tackling and impeccable positioning made him a cornerstone for Lazio, AC Milan, and the Azzurri.
CB1996–2006
Alessandro Nesta 78 caps (Italy) · SS Lazio, AC Milan · FIFA World Cup 2006A defender of sublime grace and power, his elegant tackling and impeccable positioning made him a cornerstone for Lazio, AC Milan, and the Azzurri.
CB1996–2006
08
Gaetano Scirea 78 caps (Italy) · Atalanta BC, Juventus · FIFA World Cup 1982The elegant sweeper was a linchpin of Juventus's golden era, seamlessly transitioning from defense to attack and winning the 1982 World Cup.
CB1975–1986
Gaetano Scirea 78 caps (Italy) · Atalanta BC, Juventus · FIFA World Cup 1982The elegant sweeper was a linchpin of Juventus's golden era, seamlessly transitioning from defense to attack and winning the 1982 World Cup.
CB1975–1986
10
Giuseppe Meazza 53 caps (Italy) · 33 goals · Inter Milan, AC Milan · FIFA World Cup 1934A two-time World Cup winner and Inter Milan legend, his creativity and prolific scoring made him Italy's first true footballing superstar.
SS1930–1939
Giuseppe Meazza 53 caps (Italy) · 33 goals · Inter Milan, AC Milan · FIFA World Cup 1934A two-time World Cup winner and Inter Milan legend, his creativity and prolific scoring made him Italy's first true footballing superstar.
SS1930–1939
11
Roberto Baggio 56 caps (Italy) · 27 goals · ACF Fiorentina, Juventus · 1× Ballon d'OrThe "Divine Ponytail", Baggio's mesmerising dribbling and breathtaking goals lit up three World Cups, making him one of Italy's most beloved and tragic heroes.
CAM1988–2004
Roberto Baggio 56 caps (Italy) · 27 goals · ACF Fiorentina, Juventus · 1× Ballon d'OrThe "Divine Ponytail", Baggio's mesmerising dribbling and breathtaking goals lit up three World Cups, making him one of Italy's most beloved and tragic heroes.
CAM1988–2004
13
Gianni Rivera 63 caps (Italy) · 15 goals · US Alessandria Calcio 1912, AC Milan · 1× Ballon d'Or
CM1962–1975
Gianni Rivera 63 caps (Italy) · 15 goals · US Alessandria Calcio 1912, AC Milan · 1× Ballon d'Or
CM1962–1975
14
AD
Alessandro Del Piero 91 caps (Italy) · 27 goals · Calcio Padova, Juventus · FIFA World Cup 2006Il Pinturicchio, as he was affectionately known, was a Juventus legend, celebrated for his exquisite technique, deadly free-kicks, and winning the 2006 World Cup with Italy.
CAM1995–2008
16
Silvio Piola 34 caps (Italy) · 30 goals · F.C. Pro Vercelli 1892, SS Lazio · FIFA World Cup 1938A true goal-scoring pioneer, he remains Serie A's all-time record scorer, with his acrobatic finishes defining an era for Lazio and Juventus.
ST1935–1952
Silvio Piola 34 caps (Italy) · 30 goals · F.C. Pro Vercelli 1892, SS Lazio · FIFA World Cup 1938A true goal-scoring pioneer, he remains Serie A's all-time record scorer, with his acrobatic finishes defining an era for Lazio and Juventus.
ST1935–1952
17
Giovanni Ferrari 44 caps (Italy) · 14 goals · US Alessandria Calcio 1912, Juventus · FIFA World Cup 1934The inside left played in both of Italy's winning World Cup finals, against Czechoslovakia in Rome in 1934 and Hungary in Paris four years later, feeding the forwards from the left channel in the role Italians call the mezzala.
CAM1930–1938
Giovanni Ferrari 44 caps (Italy) · 14 goals · US Alessandria Calcio 1912, Juventus · FIFA World Cup 1934The inside left played in both of Italy's winning World Cup finals, against Czechoslovakia in Rome in 1934 and Hungary in Paris four years later, feeding the forwards from the left channel in the role Italians call the mezzala.
CAM1930–1938
18
Marco Tardelli 81 caps (Italy) · Pisa SC, Juventus · FIFA World Cup 1982His iconic scream after scoring in the 1982 World Cup final perfectly encapsulated the passion and tenacity of Italy's midfield engine.
CDM1976–1986
Marco Tardelli 81 caps (Italy) · Pisa SC, Juventus · FIFA World Cup 1982His iconic scream after scoring in the 1982 World Cup final perfectly encapsulated the passion and tenacity of Italy's midfield engine.
CDM1976–1986
19
Paolo Rossi 48 caps (Italy) · 20 goals · Vicenza Calcio, A.C. Perugia Calcio · 1× Ballon d'OrHis unforgettable six goals at the 1982 World Cup, including a hat-trick against Brazil, fired Italy to an unexpected triumph and etched his name into legend.
SS1977–1986
Paolo Rossi 48 caps (Italy) · 20 goals · Vicenza Calcio, A.C. Perugia Calcio · 1× Ballon d'OrHis unforgettable six goals at the 1982 World Cup, including a hat-trick against Brazil, fired Italy to an unexpected triumph and etched his name into legend.
SS1977–1986
21
Antonio Cabrini 73 caps (Italy) · Atalanta BC, Juventus · FIFA World Cup 1982His penalty went wide in the 25th minute of the 1982 final against West Germany, the first spot kick ever missed in a World Cup final, and he kept overlapping down the left until Italy had won 3-1.
LB1978–1987
Antonio Cabrini 73 caps (Italy) · Atalanta BC, Juventus · FIFA World Cup 1982His penalty went wide in the 25th minute of the 1982 final against West Germany, the first spot kick ever missed in a World Cup final, and he kept overlapping down the left until Italy had won 3-1.
LB1978–1987
22
Gianluigi Donnarumma 72 (as of 4 October 2026) caps (Italy) · AC Milan, Paris Saint-GermainWembley, 11 July 2021: he pushed away Jadon Sancho's penalty, then Bukayo Saka's, and stood frozen on his line because he had not realised Italy were champions.
GK2016–
Gianluigi Donnarumma 72 (as of 4 October 2026) caps (Italy) · AC Milan, Paris Saint-GermainWembley, 11 July 2021: he pushed away Jadon Sancho's penalty, then Bukayo Saka's, and stood frozen on his line because he had not realised Italy were champions.
GK2016–
23
GC
Gianpiero Combi 47 caps (Italy) · Juventus · FIFA World Cup 1934Seven goals went past him on his Italy debut in Budapest in 1924, a humiliation that cost him his place for a year and forged a goalkeeper who later went 934 minutes in Serie A without conceding.
GK1924–1934
24
Giorgio Chiellini 117 caps (Italy) · Juventus, ACF FiorentinaThe fearsome, wholehearted defender was a symbol of Juventus and Italy's grit, leading them to Euro 2020 glory with his immense presence.
CB2004–2022
Giorgio Chiellini 117 caps (Italy) · Juventus, ACF FiorentinaThe fearsome, wholehearted defender was a symbol of Juventus and Italy's grit, leading them to Euro 2020 glory with his immense presence.
CB2004–2022
25
GB
Giuseppe Bergomi 81 caps (Italy) · Inter Milan · FIFA World Cup 1982A true one-club man for Inter Milan, 'Lo Zio' (The Uncle) famously played in four World Cups, embodying defensive excellence and versatility.
RB1982–1998
26
Bruno Conti 47 caps (Italy) · 5 goals · AS Roma, Genoa CFC · FIFA World Cup 1982A key architect of Italy's 1982 World Cup triumph, Conti was a dazzling winger whose explosive pace and pinpoint crosses unlocked defences.
LM1980–1986
Bruno Conti 47 caps (Italy) · 5 goals · AS Roma, Genoa CFC · FIFA World Cup 1982A key architect of Italy's 1982 World Cup triumph, Conti was a dazzling winger whose explosive pace and pinpoint crosses unlocked defences.
LM1980–1986
27
Claudio Gentile 71 caps (Italy) · Arona Calcio, Juventus · FIFA World Cup 1982A notoriously tough and uncompromising defender, his relentless man-marking and battling spirit defined Italy's rugged 1982 World Cup triumph.
CB1975–1984
Claudio Gentile 71 caps (Italy) · Arona Calcio, Juventus · FIFA World Cup 1982A notoriously tough and uncompromising defender, his relentless man-marking and battling spirit defined Italy's rugged 1982 World Cup triumph.
CB1975–1984
28
Filippo Inzaghi 57 caps (Italy) · 25 goals · Piacenza Calcio, Juventus · FIFA World Cup 2006
ST1997–2007
Filippo Inzaghi 57 caps (Italy) · 25 goals · Piacenza Calcio, Juventus · FIFA World Cup 2006
ST1997–2007
30
Gianluca Zambrotta 98 caps (Italy) · 2 goals · SSC Bari, Juventus · FIFA World Cup 2006Zambrotta was a versatile and dynamic full-back or winger for Juventus and Italy, a key figure in Italy's 2006 World Cup-winning squad.
RM1999–2010
Gianluca Zambrotta 98 caps (Italy) · 2 goals · SSC Bari, Juventus · FIFA World Cup 2006Zambrotta was a versatile and dynamic full-back or winger for Juventus and Italy, a key figure in Italy's 2006 World Cup-winning squad.
RM1999–2010
32
WZ
Walter Zenga 58 caps (Italy) · Inter Milan, S.S. Sambenedettese CalcioItalia 90's heroic shot-stopper, his incredible saves made him a national icon during that unforgettable tournament run.
GK1987–1992
33
RD
Roberto Donadoni 63 caps (Italy) · 5 goals · Atalanta BC, AC MilanA silky winger with AC Milan, Donadoni's elegant dribbling and creative play illuminated Serie A and the international stage, earning him three European Cups.
LM1986–1996
About this XI
Franco Baresi tops Italy's all-time pool, ahead of Gianluigi Buffon and Paolo Maldini. The 33 covers 5 goalkeepers, 11 defenders, 12 midfielders and 5 forwards, with sourced senior international careers spanning the 1920s to the 2020s. Pick a formation, drag your eleven onto the pitch, then explore the careers and settle the duels below. Your votes reorder the people's ranking of these 33 in real time.
Left out, and why
A 33 is a set of decisions, and these are the players who lost their place in the last revision of Italy's list. Every one of them has a case.
- Christian VieriThe place went to Giovanni Ferrari.
- Daniele De RossiThe place went to Gianpiero Combi.
- Mauro CamoranesiThe place went to Nicolò Barella.
- Claudio MarchisioThe place went to Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Disagree? That is the point. Settle it in the duels above.
Who is the greatest Italy footballer of all time?
The editorial collection starts with Franco Baresi. Its first five careers: Franco Baresi, Gianluigi Buffon, Paolo Maldini, Dino Zoff, Fabio Cannavaro. The people's ranking on this page moves with every duel vote and can disagree.
How were these 33 Italy players chosen?
The collection covers every position across Italy's football history. Honours, international records and career achievements inform the editorial order. Each entry opens a career note and its sources. Fan votes in the duels build a separate ranking.
Where can I read about the careers?
Open a player page from the collection to read the career scene, club record and recorded honours. The source links show where the available records come from.
Can I build and share my own Italy all-time XI?
Yes. Pick one of 8 formations, place any of the 33 players onto the pitch, and export your lineup as a PNG. There is no account and no sign-up.