The Top 20 Italian Players of the Decade

By: Francesco | December 16th, 2009

Calcio

All month I’ve been seeing these “Top _____ of the Decade” posts all over the Offside, so I thought with 2010 just around the corner it’s time to unveil the list of the top 20 Italian players of the decade (2000-2009). For this list I considered any player that played a season from 2000-2009, but naturally they have to have made a big impact to be on this list. I also took into account players that went abroad to ply their trade, as any Italian player qualifies for this list. Also, the list isn’t just based on National Team achievements it’s based on overall Serie A play as well. So, without further adieu, the Top 20 Italian players of the decade (in my opinion).

1) Paolo Maldini
2) Roberto Baggio
3) Gianluigi Buffon
4) Francesco Totti
5) Fabio Cannavaro
6) Alessandro Nesta
7) Alessandro Del Piero
8) Andrea Pirlo
9) Filippo Inzaghi
10) Christian Vieri
11) Gianluca Zambrotta
12) Gennaro Gattuso
13) Daniele De Rossi
14) Marco Materazzi
15) Alberto Gilardino
16) Luca Toni
17) Antonio Cassano
18) Fabio Grosso
19) Giorgio Chiellini
20) Christian Panucci/Angelo Peruzzi/Mauro Camoranesi

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Naturally first place had to go to Paolo Maldini, who ended his brilliant career last season and in this decade won 2 Champions League trophies, a Scudetto, and a Coppa Italia. Too bad he retired from the national team and couldn’t share in the joy of 2006. Second place went to Roberto Baggio, who although only playing 4 years in this decade was the most talented Italian player of the last 25 years and in the 4 years he did play in this decade managed to become the first modern player to beat the 200 goal mark in Serie A as well as transform lowly Brescia into a solid mid-table side. Third place to Gianluigi Buffon, quite simply because without him, Italy and Juventus would not have a superhuman guarding their nets. Would we have won the World Cup without Buffon? Maybe, but most probably not. Best goalkeeper in the world. Maybe my choice of Francesco Totti as 4th place may raise some discussion, but here is my reasoning: Totti was the most talented Italian player of the last decade without a doubt. He emerged in 2000 and immediately showed his skills on the international stage at Euro 2000. Since then, the only blight on his resume is his spitting at Euro 2004, but besides that Totti is now on course to be the first modern player since Baggio to reach 200 goals in Serie A, a truly wonderful feat. Even though most non-Roma fans don’t seem to like him, and a lot of people hate him for retiring from international duty, Totti has been without a doubt the most talented Italian player of the last 9 years. People will probably start to appreciate him when he’s retired. After 4th place, I think the rest of the top 20 pretty much speaks for itself. Cassano could’ve been higher if he didn’t lose 2 years of his career. And at number 20, I had to include all 3 players, because I felt all three deserved to be in the top 20 so number 20 is a 3-way tie.

What do you think? Do you agree with my list? What’s your Top 20? Post yours and thoughts in the comments.