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“The Best Italian Player of All Time”

January 19th, 2009 | By: Julian | 57 Comments »

When it comes to soccer news, info, and opinions, there’s not a single person I respect more than my dad. He’s been a diehard Inter fan since he was 4 and he’s loved the team ever since. In a way, even though I’m a Roma fan, I’m almost happy Inter are doing well cause it means my dad is happy. He’s loved them even though they went years without winning anything- if nothing else, he’s incredibly loyal and passionate about his club team. That passion and love for the game is something I got from him.

As passionate as he is about Inter, he’s equally passionate about our national team. True story- when we lost on PKs to Spain this past summer, he went into the bathroom and came out with tears in his eyes. I cursed out Di Natale and then put my hands in my head before fighting my brother. Either way, his passion and love for the sport is undeniable. Soccer is a huge part of his life, as it is mine.

When I was just getting into soccer, I asked him who his favorite player ever was. He replied, without hesitation: “Roberto Baggio. The greatest player Italy has ever produced, and the best Italian player of all time.” Given how much I respect his opinion, not only as a father but as a fellow footy fan, I looked deeper into the career of Baggio and assessed his statement.

But this post isn’t a Baggio remembrance- though that will come eventually. Instead,this left me wondering who you guys think is the best Italian player of all time (or at least, out of the ones that you’ve seen play)? Chances are, if you read this blog, you have at least a passing interest in the Azzurri. And chances are, if you like the team you might have seen them play. Once or twice. If you have, who was your favorite ever player?

Now, of course, I expect everyone to have different views. Some of us (including me) are pretty young, so we can’t really say guys like Zoff or Baggio because they were before our time. But others of you guys are probably much older than me and can remember guys like Maldini, Zenga, and Zola in thier prime. So what’s your pick? Who do you believe is the greatest Italian player to have played in your lifetime? Is it someone who won the World Cup for us- maybe Cannavaro? Is it a great defender like Baresi? A midfield maestro like Pirlo? Or an attacker like Meazza (Bless you if you can literally remember him. You must be 100).

For me, the answer is simple: it’s Buffon. Whereas my dad went for an attacking player, I feel like the best one I’ve seen is a goalie. As far back as I can remember watching the Azzurri play, Buffon has been a rock. World Cup 2006 was just phenomenal, and I’m convinced we wouldn’t've won without Buffon in the net. He’s a natural leader, a great goalie, and one of the few soccer players to not sound like a moron when he talks.

Here’s a few of my favorite tribute vids to the man I consider the great Italian soccer player of my lifetime:

His saves were crucial during our World Cup run:

Even though we sucked at the 2008 Euros, there was no denying Buffon’s class and talent. Be sure to watch this one in HD.

Even when play has stopped, his instincts don’t.

Finally, just a compilation of some of his greatest saves on both club and country

So for me, there’s no contest. Buffon is my favorite just for how easy he makes it all look. He’s got no fear and he just appears to be superhuman out there.

Next post- a mini-preview of our game against Brazil in 3 weeks. Since no rosters have been announced yet, I can’t go into a really detailed preview, but I’ll look at their most recent squads and pick out their strengths (They’ve got quite the goalie and a pretty dangerous offense) and weaknesses (Dunga…zing!).

Tags: Group E

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Comments

Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 57 comments.

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By KJ is a god | January 20th, 2009 at 9:35 pm

Im only 25, but you young guys are warped when it comes to history of calcio

DelPiero and Totti couldnt hold Maradonas jock strap in his prime….

Posted from United States

By Julian | January 20th, 2009 at 9:37 pm

John Silver- the only guy on that list who competes with Maradona for me is Zidane. I know I’m young and I don’t really remember them that well but what Zidane was able to do with the ball always dazzled me. I still lose hours to youtube videos just watching his skill when he was at Juve. It was all just so… so easy to him. He made dribbling look effortless, like his legs could do whatever his mind told them to. That for me epitomized what soccer is all about.

In terms of achievements, Maradona was undoubtedly a great player and did things for Napoli that Zidane didn’t do for Juve. But I’m not sure tehy were the same kind of player. Correct me if I’m wrong, but Maradona was fast and used pace to beat guys- a lot like Messi. Zidane on the other hand wasn’t nearly as fast but he was much more graceful.

Posted from United States

By LorenzoRosanero | January 20th, 2009 at 10:06 pm

Roberto Baggio. Head and shoulders above the rest.

By Armando | January 20th, 2009 at 10:12 pm

To be honest, i completely forgot Maradona. Though, to be honest, if i had to pick a 2nd place, i would pick Baggio. Now, i’m not saying Baggio is better than Maradona, but remember, Baggio as a rookie schooled Maradona’s Napoli. Just something to think about. I’ve already made a list of the best ever Italian players, but now i’ll do top 5 ever in Serie A:

1. Diego Maradona
2. Roberto Baggio
3. Zinedine Zidane
4. Paolo Maldini
5. Alessandro Del Piero

And by the way, i wasnt saying Camo should be top 10. Just that he should at least be mentioned (as Pirlo, Gattuso, etc were), as he is probably the best italian midfielder alive at the moment.

By Enrique | January 20th, 2009 at 10:25 pm

KJ is a GOD lol…

Alberto Aquilani is the future of Italian Futbol… u ignorant…

DDR, Aquilani, and Giovinco. Future Italian World Cup Holders on 2014

Italian Captian. Either DDR or Aquilani

Aquilani is a totti evolution. Harder kick

Posted from Nicaragua

By lamagica | January 20th, 2009 at 10:46 pm

what? no mention of carrozzieri? that is top 5 material right there. guana might make the cut as well.

Posted from Canada

By asem | January 20th, 2009 at 11:43 pm

Armando how the fuck is Camo the best Italian midfielder alive?
Easily DDR…

By KJ | January 21st, 2009 at 3:23 am

lamagica, dont cry man…

Your man Totti just couldnt cut it internationally

Posted from United States

By KJ | January 21st, 2009 at 3:24 am

he’s got to stay at a midlevel team like Roma to make himself look good…

Posted from United States

By 9 champs leagues | January 21st, 2009 at 10:49 am

guys, it is unbelievable and unpardonable that almost all of us have ignored Franco Baresi( including me in my choices!!!!)…
Franco was voted as the italian player of the CENTURY and when he retired, Milan withdrew his no.9 shirt permanently..That is an unbelievable thing!!!Baresi rarely made a mistake in a game and he was a rock and his aerial power was awesome!!i remember him in the 1994 world cup( as a 10 year old) playing the first match and missing all the matches and return back in the final and ruling ROMARIO!!awesome!1what about his exploits with Milan??He was an icon during his 15 years there

Posted from Spain

By 9 champs leagues | January 21st, 2009 at 10:53 am

by the way, armando and others, maradona was a genius but i doubt he would have achieved what he achieved without performance enhancing drugs..Yes!!the rules were not very strict in his times and just remember how he was found out in 1994 world cup and what a disgraceful exit he had from the game!!also remember that he used to play the game unfairly, that diving and feigning..I CAN PROUDLY SAY THAT BAGGIO NEVER CHEATED, INFACT HE SUFFERED AND SILENTLY BORE ALL THE VICIOUS TACKLES .. baggio is second to none in technical ability…1994 world cup , he did the unbelievable!!!that goal against Spain in the quarterfinals was awesome!!

Posted from Spain

By John | January 21st, 2009 at 12:26 pm

For me, Zidane was a great individual performer, but he could never help the team the way Maradona did. When Del Piero blew his knee out in 1998, the stage was set for Zidane to really carry the team for the next seven months but he didn’t. It was the same story at Madrid.

John Silver- I absoloutley loved your article on Football Italiano, I had no idea it was you, well done

Posted from United Kingdom

By lamagica | January 21st, 2009 at 2:03 pm

really, kj? who exactly “cut it” from palermo on the nt? i guess given that they are a low-level team at best (but a serie b / c powerhouse…i’ll concede you that), the answer is obvious…lol.

Posted from Canada

By Jessica | January 21st, 2009 at 2:11 pm

John Silver, another great article that has really spun my mind. (In a good way).

I guess of just before my time, it is Roberto Baggio. I hid behind the couch during the PK’s at USA 94′ and will never forget hands on hips, head down. Still, I think he is one of a kind that will be the best player never to conquer 1st at the international level.

My “best” player for the Azzurri is Fabio Cannavaro. This is from “my time” when I clearly recall seeing him play at France 98′ with the bandage across his face. It was from then on I followed him at Parma and beyond. He is symbolic of hard work and determination, and seems to be a very humble and genuine person. That combination (I think) makes for a well-rounded player who cannot unit the troops when the time comes.

By ilcapitano | January 21st, 2009 at 6:51 pm

yeah KJ, if Roma are midlevel what does that make Palermo? Serie C2??
and just like lamigica said, your Palermo guys SUCK on the NT. Zaccardo was the only person to score on Buffon from play in WC 2006. And Barazgli was horrendous in Euro. I know, I know, GROSSO! but please, he only played cause Zaccardo lost Lippi’s trust for the rest of the tournament.

Posted from United States

By KJ is a god | January 21st, 2009 at 8:33 pm

Palermo are on the rise…

Roma are midlevel and possibly will face relegation after the Totti era..Unless a sale is made and the team is revived

Posted from United States

By lamagica | January 21st, 2009 at 8:38 pm

hahaha palermo on the rise? yeah, to 8th place…..maybe.

Posted from Canada

By Armando | January 22nd, 2009 at 5:08 pm

Asem, you must be a Roma fan. I like DDR, but he’s not only below Camoranesi, but also Gattuso. Pirlo hasnt been on his game this year, but normally i would put Pirlo above DDR too.

By Edoardo | January 24th, 2009 at 9:48 am

Feel bad for ur dad being an inter fan. Havent won anything really!!!

Posted from United Kingdom

By mele419 | January 24th, 2009 at 11:14 am

Paolo Maldini.

Posted from United States

By mele419 | January 24th, 2009 at 11:18 am

And if I recall, Roma were sitting in the bottom half of the table for most of the season, and are currently in…8th.
Good stuff! They’re really doing well for a “big four” team huh?
Palermo on the other hand are one point behind Roma, and are (no offense) a mid-table club. So what does that say about Roma? idiots.
God I’m sick of this Roma bullshit.
TOTTI TOTTI TOTTI! BLAHH!
HE’S INJURED 364 FUCKING DAYS OF THE YEAR. SHUT UP.
DDR is pretty good though. Aqui is coming along as well, but won’t be a legendary player.

Posted from United States

By alessio | January 24th, 2009 at 11:43 am

Fabio Grosso was pretty killer in the WC.

For me, Baggio is the most talented player of all time, Maldini up there as well. For those who weren’t lucky enough to watch Roby in his prime, go spend a few hours on Youtube.

Posted from Spain

By mele419 | January 24th, 2009 at 12:07 pm

I agree alessio. I just think Paolo doesn’t get enough credit because he’s a defender.

Posted from United States

By Alqasem | February 14th, 2009 at 4:16 am

I`m Watching soccer since 1995 .. The best italian player I`v ever seen is Roberto Baggio ..

I`v seen alot of videos for Rivera .. i think he is the second best italian player ..

Buffon is the best GK ..

Posted from Kuwait