2000th: Top Ten Best Players

PLAYERS are required for a football team, and there are many of them in 10 years. As part of RossoneriBlog.com‘s closure to this decade, Meytar Zeevi numbers the top ten players who played for AC Milan during the past 10 years.

It’s been lovely 10 years, years that covered all – at politics, sports, biz show and what not. Also at AC Milan, those years were great – two Champions League victories, many wonderful players, and fun.

In honor of the end of the decade, RossoneriBlog.com’s Meytar Zeevi has sorted out the top ten players of this decade, whose feet played at Stadio San Siro, while they were wearing black & red outfit.

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10. MANUEL RUI COSTA

The great spending splash of Fatih Terim met also Rui Costa. Terim left Fiorentina for AC Milan in 2001 and took Rui Costa with him. AC Milan paid a reported fee of €35m for the Portuguese attacking midfielder. Rui Costa played five seasons with AC Milan, but in 2003, he was benched by Carlo Ancelotti when Kaka arrived. However, this does not underestimate the player’s incredible career. With crossing and assists out of this world, great dribbling, good technique and an excellent insight into the game – these features turned him into one of the best midfielders in the world. Rui Costa won the League Title, European Champion Club’s Cup, European Supercup, Italian Cup, and League Supercup with Milan. He finished his career at Benfica in 2008.

9. CLARENCE SEEDORF

The Dutch attacking midfielder arrived to Milan in 2002 from city rivals Inter Milan. Clarence was already 26-year-old then, and was quit experienced, achieved three Champions League titles with Ajax and Real Madrid. Seedorf successful career continued also with the San Siro outfit, winning his first title, and Milan’s first for this decade a year after arrived – 2003 Coppa Italia. At the same season, Milan won the Champions League, therefore, Clarence was re-written in the history book, as the only player to win the Champions League with three different teams. Seedorf played a major role also at the CL of 2005. Since 2005, Kaka was the one to take Seedorf’s spot, but that did not appealed Seedorf’s class in the team. Today, 2009, Seedorf is still a top-class player, and still holds an excellent form.

8. FILIPPO INZAGHI

‘SuperPippo!’ What can you say about this player – with a touch of goal, beat everyone, and see nothing but the goal. Inzaghi is one of the most high-rated strikers in world football – for his characteristic. It’s just fun to watch him scoring, as he shouts like a little boy, celebrates his first goal ever in the senior team, nothing less but moment of joy for him. Filippo was appreciated striker when arrived to Milan back in 2001 after spend four years with Juventus. However, despite a record of 58 goals in 122 games for the Bianconeri, Inzaghi was soon benched in favor of David Trézéguet, and he was bought by Milan for €40.9 million for the 2001-02 campaign by Fatih Terim. Inzaghi’s name is written on AC Milan’s 2007 Champions League victory over Liverpool, scoring the two goals in the final. Last season, he scored his 300 career-goal.

7. GENNARO GATTUSO

Rino’s way at AC Milan started already in 1999. Right for now, he is one of the fans’ most beloved players at AC Milan, but the way was long until this moment. Milan signed Gattuso for £8 million from Serie B Salernitana. Rino settled fairly quickly at Milan at the defensive midfielder position, which allowed Carlo Ancelotti to use Andrea Pirlo in a more attacking role. Gattuso’s hard work, physical game and hardcore tackles were enough to let Gattuso earn his nickname – Ringhio (the Snarler). Rino plays dirty once in a while, but he certainly has the fans support. In 26 September 2006, Gattuso played his 300 game for the club, when took part in a goalless Champions League draw against Lille. Gennaro Gattuso is a wonderful player, a warrior, a beast, he will do anything to play, but he needs to play. Gattuso has recently extended his contract.

6. PAOLO MALDINI

The ultimate player – Had his Milan debut in age of 16 back in 1984. The last decade saw him out at his 30th, but he still performed at the best side. Playing on the left or the central – Paolo Maldini’s power in the last ten years, came from his experience, this experience that allowed him to do everything right. If it was the last decade, then he would be in the top three, but here, in this decade, the players were too good, as well as Paolo. Maldini started his career and finished it at AC Milan. Maldini is the most beloved captain of all times – not only for his proficiency but also for his personality. The player is one of the best ever in his role, Paolo Maldini was the symbol of Milan for years, but retried from football in age of 41, after 24.5 years of active in the football world. The world will always remember the name – Maldini. He has two boys playing at the youth section of Milan.

5. CAFU

Marcos Evangelista de Moraes is certainly the best right-back of this decade. The Brazilian arrived to Milan on 2003 from A.S. Roma, where he played for six years. Cafu is a quick player, who can run a lot and fast. His agility as well as good crossing and the ability to read the game perfectly has made him one of the best players in the history for his role. Cafu played for the Rossoneri for five years, as capped 148 games. The player was included in one Champions League victory, as well as Coppa Italia and Scudetto wins. With his national team, he recorded a World Cup back in 2002, when was a Roma player. Cafu finished his career with Milan, but will always have a soft spot in his heat for Roma. Cafu is a player to remember, even in 20 years, when he’ll be 59.

4. ANDERA PIRLO

Like Seedorf, Pirlo arrived from Inter Milan. The player came to Milanello in 2001, after some loan spells from the Nerazzuri. Pirlo played an attacking midfielder role at Inter, but when signed at Milan for€17.5 million, Coach Carlo Ancelotti discovered Andrea’s real designation as a lying deep playmaker. Pirlo is a peaceful player, unlike Gennaro Gattuso who plays alongside him in midfield. The player’s job is to support the attacks and keep the team peace for all the time, for this ability, he has earned the nickname “the metronome” also for the way he sets the team’s rhythm. Pirlo led the statistic in season 2002-2003 (Milan last Scudetto) in four special categories, passes played, ball possession, successful balls and successful passes. Pirlo has a very vital part in Milan success this decade; he was part of every championship achieved by the Italian giants this season, leading Milan to glory and greatness. Pirlo is now only 30-year-old and has some further years of glory ahead of him, perhaps with Milan.

3. ALESSANDRO NESTA

The Italian defender is amazing. His ability to know exactly where the ball goes, block it when it’s right and almost do no mistake, has made him to one of the most famous defenders in the football world. Nesta was born and grown at Italy capital – Rome. He played at S.S. Lazio for nine years and was the captain of the club. In 2002, he left Lazio in favor of AC Milan. The player was part of an extremely good defensive line with Jaap Stam, Paolo Maldini and Cafu alongside him. He is 187 centimeters, playing on a regular basis on age of 33 and still considers as one of the best defenders around. Alessandro Nesta cost Milan €30m but it was certainly worth that. Already in his first season, he won the Champions League and Coppa Italian with the Rossoneri. The player gets injured too often, and for that, he gave up his national career – in order to be always prepared for AC Milan. The player is a real legend, one of a kind. Nesta plays at the best side, and always has a place in the squad of any team in the world.

2. RICARDO KAKA

What can you say about Ricky…? The Brazilian attacking midfielder arrived to Milan in 2003 from Sao Paolo and soon seduced Rui Costa (10) out of the first team. The player had an incredible adapting season, reaching the Scudetto and the UEFA Super Cup. In 2005 voted as the best midfielder of the Champions League despite the loss to Liverpool. Kaka is remembered for his modesty, even though makes a lot of money. Kaka is known for his speed and agility, the ability to send the balls through the player at the right place and at the right time. Kaka was one of the fans’ favorite during the years he played for the club. The Brazilian 27-year-old won a Ballon d’Or when was a Rossonero, as the semi-final of 2007 Champions League is written to his name, where he gave the best match of his career at Stadio San Siro against Manchester United, in what they called – the perfect game. However, the wages of the player were too much for Milan and they had to sell him up to Florentino Perez and Real Madrid Galacticos for £66m. Nonetheless, Kaka will also have a spot in the fans heart, after rocked Milan world during six years.

1. ANDRIY SHEVCHENKO

Sheva, Sheva, Sheva… One of the greatest strikers of this decade, certainly the best in Milan, for his ability to score beautifully from places that seems impossible; for his long runs and finishing. If you’re looking for a player to remember fondly than it has to be Shevchenko. The Ukrainian joined Milan from Dynamo Kyiv for $25 million back in 1999. He made his debut for the club on 28 August 1999 in a 2-2 draw with Lecce. He became the first foreign player to win the Serie A scoring title in his debut season, finishing with 24 goals in 32 matches. Milan’s 2003 Champions League winning is thanks for Andriy – the player scored the winning penalty against Juventus in the Champions League of the Italians, after goalless 120 minutes. Sheva has made history few times, as he’s part of a super-exclusive group that scored all four goals against one team in a 4-0 victory. Sheva, however, is maybe also the one to blame for Champions League final failure against Liverpool in 2007, after missed a crucial penalty shootout. But, when this kind of player is step on the field, it’s hard to angry. The fans also loved him and will also do, because that’s the way it is, that’s the way the 33-year-old, who scored 127 goals in 208 games for AC Milan is – it’s just … SHEVA!

By Meytar Zeevi, Rossoneri Blog