GK: Gianluigi Buffon
No debate on this one. Having made his debut as a 17-year-old with Parma, Buffon became the cornerstone of the successful Juventus side for over two decades, winning ten Serie A titles along the way. Buffon is widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time, not only for his longevity at the top, but also for his incredible reflexes and command of his box.
RB: Javier Zanetti
Another Serie A legend who combined longevity with utmost professionalism. Comfortable on either flank or in midfield, Zanetti’s reading of the game enabled him to remain at the top even after his legs started to go. He captained Inter to five Serie A titles and was still performing at the highest level into his late thirties, an extraordinary feat in such a demanding league.
RCB: Alessandro Nesta
Alessandro Nesta read the game better than almost anyone, often defending without needing to tackle. After emerging at Lazio, he became a defensive leader at AC Milan, winning two Serie A titles and multiple European honours. Injuries limited his longevity, but at his peak Nesta was close to the perfect centre-back.
LCB: Franco Baresi
Proof that height isn’t everything for a centre-back. Despite standing at just 5 ft 9 in, Baresi’s positioning and anticipation ensured he was rarely bettered by any forward, even in the air. He captained one of the greatest teams club football has ever seen, with his position as sweeper opening up the possibility to play such a possession-heavy style of play.
LB: Paolo Maldini
Equally comfortable at left-back or centre-back, many look upon Maldini as the best defender of all time. The Italian combined defensive discipline with composure in possession. Rarely booked and almost never exposed or beaten, he made defending look effortless.
RCM: Michel Platini
For three seasons in the mid-1980s, Serie A belonged to Michel Platini. Playing for Juventus, he won three consecutive Ballon d’Ors and led the league in scoring three times from midfield. Platini’s vision, intelligence and devastating finishing made him the most influential player in Italy during one of the league’s strongest eras.
CM: Andrea Pirlo
One of the most comfortable players in possession of all time. Pressing him was worthless; he was simply immune to pressure. Andrea Pirlo controlled games at his own pace, dictating tempo with his passing range and composure under pressure. After early success with AC Milan, he reinvented himself at Juventus, winning four straight Serie A titles. Pirlo was not about intensity or athleticism, but no midfielder has ever made Serie A games look so calm.
LCM: Zinedine Zidane
Zinedine Zidane’s Serie A spell was relatively short, but his impact was immense. At Juventus, he showcased his ability to glide past opponents, dominate midfield battles and decide games with moments of genius. While his legacy is global rather than league-specific, his time in Italy proved he could thrive in the most tactically demanding environment in football.
FW: Diego Maradona
No player has ever lifted a club above its natural level like Diego Maradona did at Napoli – although Scott McTominay is coming close. In a league dominated by northern giants, Maradona delivered two Serie A titles through sheer brilliance. Operating from the right but roaming freely, he was the league’s ultimate difference-maker, combining creativity, aggression and match-winning quality week in, week out.
FW: Ronaldo Nazário
At his physical peak, Ronaldo was unstoppable – the best striker of all time. His time at Inter was disrupted by serious injuries, but when fit he was unlike anything Serie A had seen before. Explosive pace, devastating finishing and remarkable balance made him a nightmare for defenders. Even in a league built to stop great forwards, Ronaldo regularly looked a step ahead of everyone else.
FW: Marco van Basten
The complete striker. Marco van Basten was elegant, intelligent and lethal in front of goal. Playing for AC Milan, he won four Serie A titles and finished as league top scorer four times. Injuries cut his career tragically short, but at his best Van Basten was the perfect blend of technique and efficiency, ideally suited to Serie A’s tactical complexity.
