10. Clarence Seedorf

A highly decorated midfielder, Seedorf played a significant role in Milan’s success during the 2000s. A magician from midfield, Seedorf’s impact is proven by the fact he’s the only player in history to win the Champions League with three different clubs. 

In 10 years at Milan he was able to dominate in arguably the most talent-filled era in Serie A history and as one of the greatest midfielders of his generation. Ultimately he would play in 432 total appearances for the club and scored 62 goals. 

9. Ronaldinho 

One of the most flamboyant players in history, Ronaldinho was the greatest player of the 2000s and joined Milan from Barcelona in 2008. Ronaldinho is in the conversation for the most technically gifted player of all time with his skillful ball control and dribbling ability helped him become one of the most difficult players to defend. 

Able to create and score goals from nothing, he was also a set piece genius and could score from range. It only took him three seasons to become one of the best AC Milan players of all time despite only winning a single Serie A title in 2011.  

8. Alessandro Nesta

There’s a case that Alessandro Nesta is the greatest centre-back in history thanks to his physicality and ability to be at the right place at the right time. He’s the sort of player that no attacker wanted to face and after arriving from Lazio in 2002, went on to play in 10 seasons where he made 326 total appearances. 

Nesta won the Champions League and Serie A twice before a move to Major League Soccer. Among the greatest tacklers of all time, he displayed a level of acrobatic and elegance about his game that we haven’t seen from a centre-back since retiring from the game in 2014.  

7. Andrea Pirlo

Before Andrea Pirlo’s controversial exit to Juventus, he tore it up at Milan across a 10-year span which saw him win both Serie A and the Champions League twice. From midfield he was a visionary, able to control and hit passes that were seemingly impossible and before anybody could actually see it as a possibility. 

After 401 games and 41 goals, Pirlo became a free agent in 2011 and joined rivals Juventus, as Milan weren’t willing to sign him beyond a one-year contract. 

6. Ruud Gullit

Gullit became an icon in world football and was a complete player. He was versatility personified, able to play anywhere on the pitch and help his team either offensively or defensively. Typically deployed as an attacking midfielder where he was most effective, but he also played upfront, on the wing and even as a sweeper. 

5. Andriy Shevchenko

Gullit is one of the best AC Milan players in history, arriving from PSV in 1987 where he won the Ballon d’Or in his first season. In seven seasons at the club he had a profound impact helping guide the side to three Serie A titles. 

Ukrainian Andriy Shevchenko in his prime was one of the most lethal strikers in the world after joining Milan from Dynamo Kyiv in 1999. He won the Champions League in 2003 and the Serie A the following season, the same year he won the Ballon d’Or. 

While at the club Shevchenko scored 173 goals in 296 appearances thanks to his physical stature, excellent finishing ability and his positional awareness. 

4. Marco van Basten

Dutch legend Marco Van Basten was an incredible striker with exceptional technical ability and an eye for goal. One of the best strikers of his generation, he scored with spectacular strikes, vicious volleys and impeccable headers. 

His time at Milan was marked by numerous stunning goals and individual awards. After moving from Ajax to Milan in 1987, he went on to win the Ballon d’Or three times in 1988, 1989 and 1992. In 205 appearances for the club across eight seasons, van Basten scored 129 goals and is one of the best AC Milan players of all time. 

3. Kaká

A key figure in Milan’s success in the mid-2000s, Kaká’s pace, dribbling, and creativity made him one of the best midfielders of his generation. At the height of his game he was the best in the world and during his first stint at the club he beat both Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to the 2007 Ballon d’Or. 

Kaka could split open any defence with his explosive runs during his prime. Able to score and assist with finesse, he made 307 appearances and scored 104 goals for Milan. 

2. Franco Baresi

Another defensive great that Rossoneri has produced is Franco Baresi. One of the greatest ever defenders, Baresi is our second best AC Milan player of all time and he spent his entire 20-year career at the club. An exceptional tackler, he played most of his career as a sweeper. 

Baresi played the game at a level ahead of everyone else on the pitch both tactically, physically and ability wise. A true leader, he was the clubs captain for 15 years. 

1. Paolo Maldini

Paolo Maldini is the best AC Milan player of all time and an icon, spending his entire 25-year career at the club. He won 26 major trophies including seven Serie A and five Champions League titles, and his duels with the greatest Juventus player of all time Alessandro Del Piero was arguably the pinnacle of Serie A football. 

Primarily a left back and considered by many to be the best in history at the position, Maldini shifted to a centre-back role toward the latter part of his career. He appeared in 902 games as the heartbeat of Milan, and played with a level of elegance and defensive ability that has given him immortal status.  

The post 10 Best AC Milan Players in History appeared first on Football Blog FC.

10. Arsenal (93.7 million)

For a team that hasn’t won the Premier League since The Invincibles era in 2004, Arsenal have done well to remain one of the most popular football teams in the world. 

Players like Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka are their current generation of stars and the signing of Declan Rice for £105m from West Ham shows they mean business. 

9. Bayern Munich (127 million)

Over the years German giants Bayern Munich has attracted generations of fans with some of the greatest players ever. With almost 60 million Facebook fans and over 38 million Instagram followers, the club is known for its strong youth academy and world-class players. 

The recent signing of Harry Kane that could exceed £100m with add-ons is proof of the pulling power the club has.

8. Liverpool FC (131 million)

Liverpool arguably has the best football fans in England and with 131 million fans on social media is one of the most popular football teams in the world. 

There’s an aura with Liverpool, whether it’s the fans belting out the “You’ll Never Walk Alone” anthem, or the chants from “The Kop” at Anfield. Everyone loves backing a winner, and Liverpool is just that with the most combined English and European trophies.  

7. Manchester City (131 million)

Since the 2008 takeover of Manchester City by Sheikh Mansour the club has seen billions of dollars invested into it and has rapidly become one of the most popular football teams in the world. The club won its seventh Premier League title and first ever Champions League crown in 2023 and continues to grow in popularity as everybody loves a winner. 

6. Chelsea (134 million)

Chelsea have had their struggles in the post-Abramovich despite the big money being thrown around in the transfer market by Todd Boehly. It was Abramovich’s billions that helped Chelsea’s rise to worldwide popularity with superstars such as Frank Lampard, John Terry, Didier Drogba and Ashley Cole winning Premier League titles. The club will need to turnaround their recent poor seasons with other clubs surging in popularity because of their success and big name players.

5. Juventus (144 million) 

Juventus is a legendary football club located in Turin, Italy. The club is synonymous with Italian football excellence and has consistently dominated Serie A. Juventus has a global fanbase and has been home to football legends like Alessandro Del Piero and Roberto Baggio.

4. Paris Saint-Germain (187 million)

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) has emerged as a global football powerhouse ever since Qatar Sports Investments became a major stakeholder in 2011. The dominance in Ligue 1 and superstar signings including Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and Lionel Messi has helped PSG become one of the most popular teams in the world. 

3. Manchester United (206 million)

Similar to Chelsea’s situation, Manchester United’s lack of recent success is taking a hit on the club’s popularity. The Red Devils are still the fourth most popular football club in the world thanks largely to Sir Alex Ferguson’s legacy during his 27-year managerial career at the club.

A massive global fanbase exploded on the back of players such as Sir Bobby Charlton, Ryan Giggs, Eric Cantona, Roy Keane, Paul Scholes and Wayne Rooney to name a few. Old Trafford is the best stadium in the league and if you look beyond the “Glory Hunter” fans, the United fanbase is arguably the best in England.

2. FC Barcelona (342 million)

The second most popular football club in the world is Barcelona with 342 million followers on social media and climbing. A European powerhouse, they trail only behind fierce rivals Real Madrid both in Spanish and European football. 

Barcelona’s cultural and social relevance is arguably the most important of any football club in the world, and Lionel Messi was the perfect complement to the club’s history of attractive football during his 20 years at the club.  

1. Real Madrid (363 million)

Real Madrid is the most popular football club in the world with 363 million fans. Madrid won a record eighth Champions League title in 2022 and have been crowned champions of Europe 16 times.

Madrid also won a 35th La Liga crown in 2022 and their success both in Spain and Europe has earned them generations of fans. Cristiano Ronaldo’s nine glorious seasons in Madrid only fuelled Real’s global popularity as the world’s most popular football team.

The post Most Popular Football Teams in the World: 2023 Edition appeared first on Football Blog FC.

Best Juventus Players of All Time

Italy’s most successful football club, we take a look at the 10 players to have had the greatest impact on the club. 

10. Giampiero Boniperti 

Giampiero Boniperti won five Serie A titles and is one of the best Juventus players of all time. A one-club player, he was a crucial part of the Juventus setup across 15 seasons. 

For more than 40 years he was the club’s highest goalscorer with 182 goals in all competitions. He could score with both feet and was prolific in the air. After his playing career he also served as a CEO and chairman of Juventus. 

9. Giorgio Chiellini

Giorgio Chiellini is one of the greatest defenders in history. A commanding presence at the back, he was exceptional at man-marking, was extremely physical and had an ability to cover a lot of ground.  

One of the best Juventus players of all time, Chiellini played 561 games for the club. He won nine Serie A titles, the Coppa Italia five times and was twice runner-up in the Champions League. 

8. David Trezeguet

A complete striker with clinical finishing ability and a natural eye for goal, David Trezeguet found the net consistently for Juventus. In 320 appearances for the club he scored 171 goals, including 25 Champions League goals. 

Trezeguet won the Serie A twice with Juventus. As a result of the 2006 Italian football scandal Juventus were relegated to the second division and lost many of its stars. Trezeguet remained at Juventus and helped the club win the Serie B title in 2006–07 and promotion to the top division. 

7. Pavel Nedved

One of the greatest midfielders of his generation, Pavel Nedved was dynamic, versatile and had an ability to whip in the perfect cross. In 327 games for Juventus he scored 65 goals and had 77 assists. 

Nedved helped guide Juventus to two Serie A titles and like Trezeguet, stayed with the club during their stint in Serie B. He led the club to a UEFA Champions League Final and on an individual level earned himself the Ballon d’Or in 2003. 

6. Paolo Rossi

Paolo Rossi was a prolific striker who scored many important goals that helped win several titles for Juventus. The 1982 Ballon d’Or winner was one of the most deadly players from inside the box. 

Rossi scored 44 goals in 137 games for Juventus and guided the club to two Serie A titles. He helped win the European Cup in 1984-85 and was runner-up in 1982-83. 

5. Dino Zoff 

World-class goalkeeper Dino Zoff was a wall at the back for Juventus. He played with a high level of caution, and he had great athleticism and strength. Zoff helped guide Juventus to six Serie A titles, a UEFA Cup and was twice runner-up in the European Cup. 

Zoff was Ballon d’Or runner-up in 1973 and was extremely consistent, keeping 227 clean sheets in 473 games for Juventus. On an international level he still holds the record for the longest playing time without conceding a goal at 1,142 minutes. 

4. Gianluigi Buffon

Gianluigi Buffon is one of the best Juventus players of all time. Across a 28-year career he appeared 685 times for Juventus and kept 322 clean sheets. He holds the record for most appearances in the Champions League for the club with 117. 

Not only did Buffon have excellent shot-stopping abilities and reflexes, he was one of the club’s greatest leaders and was very well respected. Buffon won 10 Serie A titles and the Coppa Italia five times with Juventus. 

3. Zinedine Zidane

One of the best soccer players of all time, Zinedine Zidane was a generational talent who was unstoppable in his prime. He played with a level of elegance and was mesmerising in the Juventus midfield. 

He made a huge impact in the five years he spent at the club. Zidane helped guide Juventus to back-to-back Serie A titles, was twice runner-up in the Champions League, and was crowned Ballon d’Or winner in 1998. 

2. Michel Platini 

After stints at Nancy and Saint-Étienne, Michel Platini played his final five years of his career at Juventus. The midfield maestro was at his creative best and he played the game with precision, style and flair. So good was Platini, he won three consecutive Ballon d’Or awards while at the club.

The second best Juventus player of all time, Platini appeared in 223 games for the club, scored 104 times and had 49 assists. He won Serie A twice and the European Cup in 1985. 

1. Alessandro Del Piero

Alessandro Del Piero is the best Juventus player of all time and played a record 705 times for the club. He was technically brilliant, was a hard worker, creative, and had excellent finishing ability. 

An icon for the club, Del Piero scored 290 goals (including 42 in the Champions League) and 178 assists. He helped guide Juventus to six Serie A titles and a Champions League in 1996. 

The post 10 Best Juventus Players of All Time  appeared first on Football Blog FC.