The Top 10 Inter Milan players of all time – it’s hard to pick them, but let’s try.
Internazionale Milano, more known as Inter Milan, is one of Italy’s biggest and most successful football clubs. Founded in 1908, the Nerazzurri have won 19 times the Serie A, and they have triumphed three times in the Champions League. But who is Inter Milan’s greatest players of all time? Let’s discuss this.
In their trophy cabinet, we can also find seven trophies from the Coppa Italia, three from the UEFA Cup, two editions of the Intercontinental Cup, and one from the FIFA Club World Cup. As you can see, Inter Milan managed to be a successful club through the years, winning various competitions.
We can say that Inter has had a few “golden” eras during its history so far. One of them was during the 60s when they won the European Cup twice under the management of the legendary master of defensive football Helenio Herrera. Another one is when the Nerazzurri won a historic treble in 2010 under the coaching of another terrific tactician – Jose Mourinho. Up to this date, Inter remains the only Italian team ever to win a treble.
But who is Inter Milan’s best players ever? Some great names used to wear the Nerazzurri shirt, including Ballon d’Or winners. Let’s try to list the Top 10 Inter Milan legends of all time.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is one of the players who managed to play for all three of the biggest clubs in Italy – Juventus, AC Milan, and Inter Milan. The Swedish star wore the Nerazzurri shirt between 2006 and 2009, winning the Serie A in each one of these seasons. Despite being the central figure in Jose Mourinho’s team, Ibrahimovic decided to leave Inter and move to Barcelona instead.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic spent just three seasons at Inter, but he played some of the best football in his incredible career during this time. An exceptionally gifted striker, Zlatan scored 66 goals in 117 appearances for the club. Indeed Inter fans wanted him to stay for many more years at the club, especially in the project Jose Mourinho was building at the San Siro. Nevertheless, he remains one of the best Inter Milan players.
Mario Corso
A very dynamic and dangerous winger, Mario Corso was an essential part of Helenio Herrera’s Grande Inter that won twice the European Cup. Corso also won four times the Serie A with the Nerazzurri while he also played 23 times for the Italian national team.
Mario Corso debuted for Inter at just 16 years of age and played for the club between 1957 and 1973. He could play on both flanks and even as a playmaker when needed—known for his pace, creativity, and crossing ability. Corso remains in history as one of the Inter Milan best players.
Lothar Matthäus
One of the best German players in history, Matthäus decided to move to Italy in 1988 when he left Bayern Munich for Inter. His time at the San Siro was impressive, and he even won the Ballon d’Or in 1990. At his peak Matthäus was unplayable in midfield – he was one of the best in the world thanks to his work rate, technical ability, passing, and shooting.
One of Matthäus’ biggest compliments came from Diego Armando Maradona himself, who once described him as “his biggest rival in Italian football”. With Inter Milan, the German legend won the Serie A in 1989 and the UEFA Cup in 1991. Lothar Matthäus is still the most capped player in the history of the German national team, and he’s one of the only two players in history who participated in five World Cups. Now this great man is remembered as one of the best players in Inter Milan’s history.
Ronaldo
Called “O Fenomeno” by the Italian journalists, Ronaldo is one of the biggest names ever to wear Inter’s shirt. The Brazilian magician moved to Italy after a magnificent season at Barcelona and scored 34 goals in 47 games in his first season in Italy. His time at the club would have been much better if not for the two horrific knee injuries he suffered. With the Nerazzurri jersey, Ronaldo won just one trophy – the UEFA Cup in 1998.
A player with a rare talent, Ronaldo won the Ballon d’Or twice and wrote his name as one of the greatest players in football’s history. If he were not injured so much, he would have been even more impressive throughout his career. Players like Ronaldo are usually being born once or twice in a generation. He could have been first in the Top 10 Inter Milan legends of all time in different circumstances.
Sandro Mazzola
One of the greatest “one-club players” in the game’s history, Sandro Mazzola spent his entire career with Inter Milan’s jersey. Playing as a forward or an attacking midfielder, Mazzola scored 161 goals in 568 appearances for the Milan giants. He was one of the most critical players in Helenio Herrera’s Grande Inter, winning four times the Serie A and becoming a European champion twice. Now he’s remembered as one of the best Inter Milan players.
Sandro Mazzola is still alive today, and he’s one of the most respected figures you can see during games at the San Siro. His father, Valentino, was also a footballer, but he sadly died during the famous airplane crash, which ended the Grande Torino – one of the best Italian teams in history.
Giuseppe Bergomi
Like Mazzola, Giuseppe Bergomi is another one-club player who spent his playing days with the jersey of just one team – Inter Milan. Called “Lo Zio” (“The Uncle”), Bergomi was playing at defense, and he captained the Nerazzurri for many years. In the end, Giuseppe Bergomi played 754 games for the club but won the Serie A just once – in 1989. He also won the Coppa Italia in 1982 and triumphed three times in the UEFA Cup.
Being good enough to play at various positions in defense, Bergomi also won the World Cup with Italy in 1982. In 2016 he was rightly accepted into the Hall of Fame of Italian football, while now he’s working as a pundit or commentator. He’s respected as one of the best Inter Milan players in history. And among the most important Inter Milan captains.
Luis Suarez
Not to be mistaken with the Uruguayan striker, Luis Suarez was a gifted Spanish midfielder who won the Ballon d’Or in 1960. A former player of Barcelona, Suarez moved to Inter Milan in 1961 and became an integral part of the team that won the European Cup twice. Today the Spaniard is considered one of the club’s best players in the Grande Inter era in the 60s.
As a player, Luis Suarez was a joy to watch. He played mainly as an attacking midfielder for Barca, but during his time at Inter, he transitioned to the role of a deep-lying playmaker under Helenio Herrera. One of his most significant advantages was his vision which allowed him to control the play and create chances for his teammates. He’s arguably one of the most important Inter Milan players.
Javier Zanetti
Spending 19 seasons with Inter Milan’s shirt, Javier Zanetti will always be one of the club’s most significant legends. Playing as a right-back and a midfielder, Zanetti captained the team during the historic 2010 treble under Jose Mourinho. When he retired in 2014, Zanetti had 858 games for the Nerazzurri in all competitions – a record that is unbeaten.
Inter highly appreciated Javier Zanetti during his retirement. His favorite number 4 is out of use now, and he was appointed vice-president of the club. The Argentine won 16 titles with the Serie A giants, including five Serie A titles and the Champions League. Only three other players made more appearances in the Calcio than him – Gianluigi Buffon, Paolo Maldini, and Francesco Totti. Zanetti is arguably in the Top 10 Inter Milan legends of all time.
Giacinto Facchetti
Spending his entire career at Inter between 1960 and 1978, Giacinto Facchetti is one of the biggest icons of the club. Another player who was part of the Grande Inter project, Facchetti is regarded as one of the most excellent left-backs in football’s history. He also had considerable leadership skills, which allowed him to captain both Inter and Italy. With the national team, he won the European Championship in 1968 and reached the World Cup final in 1970.
In 2015 Giacinto Facchetti was accepted into the Hall of Fame of Italian football, while in 1965, he was a runner-up in the Ballon d’Or voting. Like Javier Zanetti’s case, Inter Milan decided to retire Facchetti’s number 3 in his honour. He will always be one of the Inter Milan best players.
Giuseppe Meazza
Given that Inter Milan plays in a stadium named after him, it should tell you how big Giuseppe Meazza was. Scoring 242 goals in 365 games for the club, Meazza will always be remembered as one of the most special legends in Inter’s history. Winning the World Cup twice with Italy, Giuseppe Meazza is often considered the most outstanding player in this country’s history.
During his playing days, Meazza became the first Italian player who became famous worldwide and even had personal sponsors. We can say he was one of the first real stars in football’s history. In terms of playing style, Giuseppe Meazza was known for his insane dribbling ability and accurate shooting of the ball. Despite not being tall, he also scored a lot of headers because of his athletism, which allowed him to jump high. The Italian press called him “Il Genio” (“The Genius”).
Honorable Mention: Wesley Sneijder
The 2009/10 season was arguably the best in Inter Milan’s history. Under the management of Jose Mourinho, the Nerazzurri won the first-ever treble achieved by an Italian team. The team triumphed in the Serie A and won the Coppa Italia, while the most extraordinary thing was winning the Champions League. Inter eliminated the competition’s most immense favorite Barcelona in the 1/2-finals while in the final they won against Bayern Munich.
The Dutch midfield maestro Wesley Sneijder was one of the essential pieces in Jose Mourinho’s treble-winning puzzle. He joined the club in 2009 from Real Madrid and helped the Nerazzurri win the treble in his first season. Sneijder was instrumental in creating chances for his teammates, and he was one of the main reasons for Diego Milito’s efficiency upfront. He left Milan in the middle of the 2012/13 season, but he remains a huge legend today. He’s still one of the best Inter Milan players ever.
Honorable Mention: Diego Milito
What Diego Milito did during the treble-winning 2009/10 season is among the most brilliant individual performances in Inter’s history. The Argentine striker had the challenging task of replacing Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but he stepped big time, and nobody thought about the Swede anymore.
During that historic campaign, Il Principe scored 30 goals in 52 matches, including twice in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich. Many other of his goals were absolutely crucial as well. The streets will never forget that particular season of Diego Milito with Inter Milan’s shirt.
These are the Top 10 Inter Milan players of all time. You can see why the Nerazzurri are one of the biggest football clubs in Italy. Are we going to see players like these in future? We certainly hope so!
Do you have any other ideas about the list of best Inter Milan players of all time? Hit us in the comment section!
FAQ:
Who are Inter Milan’s biggest legends?
There are many legendary players in Inter’s history, but we can mention true icons such as Javier Zanetti, Giuseppe Meazza, Giacinto Facchetti and Sandro Mazzola.
Who’s the player with the most appearances for Inter?
The former captain Javier Zanetti finished his brilliant career with 858 appearances for the Italian club. It’s still a record in the Nerazzurri’s history.
Who’s Inter Milan’s all-time top scorer?
Giuseppe Meazza still holds the record for most goals scored for Inter. He retired with 287 goals for the club.
Did any Inter Milan players win the Ballon d’Or?
Two former Inter Milan players won the Ballon d’Or while playing for the club – Lothar Matthäus and Ronaldo.
