Top 10 Best Italian Soccer Players of the 21st Century

Francesco Totti

Francesco Totti is an Italian former professional footballer. He spent his entire club career playing for Serie A team Roma, where he became a symbol of loyalty and excellence. Totti also represented the Italian national team and was part of the squad that won the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

He is one of the few teenage phenoms to be a great player from start to finish. He has never been given the accolades he deserves because he played for Roma.
Had he played for Juventus, Milan, Inter, or Real Madrid, he would have been given more respect by others and would have won more trophies.
I also feel he was unlucky with the national team. He was wonderful in Euro 2000. The 2002 World Cup is very suspect. In 2004, he was banned - no excuses. In 2006, he did a wonderful job as a second striker and he was not fully fit.
Overall, I feel that the lack of playing for a big club really diminishes his reputation. Let's be honest, we all love attacking talents.
No other Italian passes and scores like him. Baggio is the only one who can be in the same league as Totti.

Gianluigi Buffon

Gianluigi "Gigi" Buffon was born on January 28, 1978, in Carrara, Italy. He is widely considered one of the greatest goalkeepers in football history. Buffon returned to play for Serie B club Parma in 2021 after a long and successful career with Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain. He also played for the... read more

By far the greatest keeper of the 21st century. Definitely better than Neuer and Casillas.

The best goaltender in the country and on the best team in the country, Juventus.

Alessandro Del Piero

Alessandro Del Piero Ufficiale OMRI is an Italian former professional footballer who mainly played as a second striker, also called a deep-lying forward. He was widely praised for his technical skills, vision, and free-kick accuracy. Del Piero spent 19 seasons with Juventus, serving as captain for 11... read more

Del Piero is simply the greatest Italian player ever. He would probably have been voted as such by the other players in the top ten. The world has seen very few players with his capabilities.

Del Piero is better than everyone from positions 2 to 10. He has been my favorite soccer player since childhood. He helped us beat Germany and scored a penalty against France in 2006. If you all are smart, vote for Del Piero. My friends are Spanish and think he is better than half the players on both the Spain and Argentina teams!

Del Piero's versatility has always been unmatched. His free kicks, penalties, and dribbling skills are top-class worldwide. He also loves Juventus, which we saw when he stayed after their relegation to Serie B.

Andrea Pirlo

Andrea Pirlo, born on May 19, 1979, is an Italian former professional footballer and current football manager. He retired from playing in January 2018 after an illustrious career as a central midfielder, primarily with AC Milan and Juventus, and was also a key player for the Italy national team. After... read more

One of the greatest Italian footballers! Fantastic playmaker, maybe the best in the world! He's competing with Xavi, Iniesta, and the rest of the top footballers in the world, especially the greatest Spanish ones.
He should be credited more for his contributions to Italy's good performance in Euro 2012 and for Juve's victory in Serie A!

You do not even have to look him up. He is around 35 and still one of the best in his position. People say, "Oh, he never runs," but that does not matter.

The best playmaker of this decade. At his age, he still performs magic. He is currently the best Italian soccer player.

Giorgio Chiellini

Giorgio Chiellini is a retired Italian professional footballer who played as a center-back. He spent most of his club career with Juventus and also captained the Italian national team. Chiellini is widely considered one of the most consistent and intelligent defenders of his generation.

Daniele De Rossi

Claudio Marchisio

Sebastian Giovinco

Paolo Maldini

Paolo Cesare Maldini is a former Italian professional footballer who played primarily as a left back and later as a central defender. He captained Italy for eight years and AC Milan for twelve. He earned the nickname "Il Capitano," which means "The Captain," due to his leadership and consistency on the... read more

When you think about defenders in general, he is one of those names.

Fabio Cannavaro

Fabio Cannavaro Ufficiale OMRI (born 13 September 1973) is an Italian professional football coach and former player who most recently served as the head coach of Udinese. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest defenders of all time. During his illustrious career, he captained Italy to victory in... read more

I watched him play for Real Madrid. His ability to read the game, even in later years, was unparalleled. He wasn't quick, much like Bobby Moore, but he would watch a player's body language, their head, and feet, and read what to do.
He knew when to transfer his weight accordingly, when to drop, and when to step up.
He is arguably one of the greatest defenders of all time, along with Baresi and Nesta.

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Antonio Cassano

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Antonio Di Natale

Mario Balotelli

Mario Barwuah Balotelli, born on August 12, 1990, is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a striker. Throughout his career, he has played for numerous clubs including Inter Milan, Manchester City, AC Milan, Liverpool, and Nice. He has also represented Italy at various international tournaments... read more

I think Balotelli is the best because he has the skill and the team relies on him. There would not be a team without Balotelli.

Balotelli worked alone as the best Italian forward.

Roberto Baggio

Roberto Baggio (Italian pronunciation: roˈbɛrto ˈbaddʒo), born February 18, 1967, is an Italian former professional footballer who mainly played as a second striker or attacking midfielder. In 1993, he was named FIFA World Player of the Year and won the Ballon d'Or. He later served as President of the... read more

Should be way higher! Not even in the top ten?

Alberto Gilardino

Alessandro Nesta

Leonardo Bonucci

Leonardo Bonucci Cavaliere OMRI (born 1 May 1987) is an Italian former professional footballer who played as a centre-back. Considered one of the best defenders of his generation, he was known for his technique, ball-playing skills, tackling, and ability to play in either a three- or four-man defense... read more

Riccardo Montolivo

Marco Verratti

Marco Verratti is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for Al-Duhail in the Qatar Stars League and for the Italy national team. He previously played for Paris Saint-Germain from 2012 to 2023. Verratti is known for his vision, ball control, and passing ability.

Christian Vieri

He may not have won many titles, but he is the most dangerous Italian striker. Defenders and goalkeepers feel his terror in the box.

This list is so wrong. Christian Vieri is still the joint top scorer for Italy in the World Cup with R. Baggio. He also has the most goals from headers in Serie A.
He is the only Italian striker who can be a top scorer in another big competition (read: La Liga), and all of you put him below Balotelli and Iaquinta as strikers? How outrageous!

He scored nine goals in nine World Cup appearances, so why is he ranked below the top ten? Outrageous!