Juventus: 20 Greatest Players EVER

Without a doubt some of world football's best players have graced the black and white shirt of Italy's most famous club, Juventus. The only club to win every available honour in European football and the most successful club in Italian football, Juventus offers over 120 years of history to look back over.

During many spells of success, the club has had some of the most dominating teams from many different eras.

Choosing 20 to make this list was extremely difficult as there is so much choice. Aside from the famous names, there are also many lesser player who's impact on Juventus was so great they cannot be left off the list.

Hopefully, many selections will be met with agreement and a knowing nod, although one or two will no doubt spark debate.

Honourable Mentions

Before starting with the selection, a quick mention of a few players who many might expect to find included.

Gianluca Vialli.

A club with only two European Cup wins, and the captain of one of those teams is not in the top 20. Vialli played almost four years in Bianconeri and collected five winners medals.

Michael Laudrup

Another European Cup winner, Denmark's greatest player ever played six years in Turin. He also enjoyed spells at Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Claudio Gentile

A World Cup winner, one of Italian footballs toughest defenders and a member of the dominant Juve of the 1980s.

Stefano Tacconi

The only goalkeeper to win all major European trophies, yet he is probably only the fourth most successful keeper in Juventus' history.

Zbigniew Boniek

Il Bello di Notte is another one who only just misses out, despite being a part of a team that won domestic and European honours.

20. Franco Causio

Causio took his time to find his feet in Turin, like many creative midfielders who followed in his footsteps. Much like another famous club legend, Antonio Conte, Causio was born in Lecce, making him a huge idol for the millions of southern Italian fans of La Vecchia Signora.

After a number of loan spells around smaller clubs, he eventually established himself at the club he joined as a 17-year-old.

Playing alongside Bettega and Tardelli, he became a vital part of Europe's most dominating midfield of his era.

His time at Juventus was extremely succesful, yielding six scudetti and a number of European trophies. Causio was also a part of Italy's triumphant 1982 World Cup Squad.

19 Giampiero Combi

Probably one of world football's best kept secrets, Combi enjoyed incredible levels of success and longevity. He played 14 seasons and won five scudetti, including a then record four in a row.

In his 371 games, Juventus kept an astounding number of clean sheets. The title-winning 1926 season is of particular note, as the team conceeded only 18 goals! It also included a record that stands to this day, going 934 minutes unbeaten.

Most of his other records—including apperances for a Juventus goalkeeper—have since been broken, mostly by Dino Zoff.

Indeed he shares one honour with Zoff—being the only other goalkeeper to captain a World Cup-winning team, as he did in 1934.

18. Antonello Cuccureddu

An attacking full back before the term became common language, Cuccureddu is another serial winner in Bianconeri. His 12-year stay in Turin came as the club secured six scudetti and the first of its European trophies.

He was a key figure in the team that won the 1977 UEFA Cup, being named Man of the Match in the second leg of the Final.

Both his Juventus and Italy careers were shortened by the arrival of Antonio Cabrini, but the legacy left by Cuccureddu is still fondly remembered by fans to this day.

He was also one of the first players to make the move to Fiorentina from Juve. The fact he is fondly remembered by fans of both clubs speaks volumes to his quality.

17: David Trezeguet

Quite simply lethal, Trezeguet has been with Juventus since 2000, scoring an amazing 137 goals in only 238 games for the club. He has become the all-time leading foreign goal scorer for the club, which is astonishing given the famous names that have preceeded him in Turin.

Seemingly linked with moves away from the club in every transfer window, perhaps the most amazing thing about Trezeguet is that he is still at Juventus. He will never be forgotten by fans of the club. He was one of the players who remained loyal when Juventus were relegated in 2006.

Trezeguet was both Serie A top scorer and Player of the Year in 2002. He has also won four Serie A titles, two Italian Super Cups and the 2006/07 Serie B title.

He has missed two vital penalties during his time in Turin—one costing the club the 2003 Champions League Final, and the other eventually handing Italy the 2006 World Cup.

16. Marco Tardelli

Come on, what other picture am I going to use for Tardelli? The man known across the world for a scream could actually play a bit too.

As a tough tackling midfielder, he did much of the work while Platini took the plaudits. His 10 years at Juve were laden with trophies: Five scudetti, a European Cup, a Cup Winners Cup, a UEFA Cup and three Italian Cups complete a remarkable haul.

His goal, with the much copied celebration, helped Italy secure the 1982 World Cup win.

Then he moved to Inter. Enough said.

15. Omar Sivori

The Angel with the Dirty Face, as Sivori used to be known, was part of the "magical trio" used to devastating effect by Juventus during the late 1950s and early 1960s.

He was born in Argentina, yet also played for Italy. He remains Juve's fifth-highest goal scorer of all time.

His record for goals in a league game for Juventus will probably never be broken. On June 10, 1961, he scored six past Inter, part of a 9-1 victory which is still also a league record.

During his time at the club, he won three Serie A titles, two Italian Cups and the 1961 European Player of the Year, making him the club's first winner of this award.

14: Zinedine Zidane

I can already hear the cries. "Fourteenth? How can possibly the greatest player of his generation be only 14th?" For me, there is the contradiction that is Zidane at Juventus.

He joined the club shortly after the Champions League win in 1996, just as Juve were expected to began another spell of dominance at home and abroad. Yet it never materialized.

The club went on to lose in the next two Champions League finals, which should be regarded as great. But in Turin, even second place is regarded as failure.

Despite these setbacks, his form for his country was spectacular, winning both the 1998 World Cup and the 2000 European Championships. These wins also earned him the title of European Footballer of the Year and two World Player of the Year Awards.

Yet, this winning streak never quite transfered to Juventus. Zidane was sold to Madrid for €55 million, a then record fee, which enabled Juve to completely rebuild their squad.

13. John Charles

Winner of three scudetti and two Italian Cups, as well as the 1958 Italian Player of the Year. Yet words and statistics fail to describe the popularity and success of the Gentle Giant's time in Bianconeri. Here are two things I think do the job more effectively.

In 1997, as part of the clubs Centenary celebrations, Juventus held a poll of her fans to decide the clubs greatest ever foreign player. John Charles was the runaway winner.

My second point is more poigniant. British broadcaster Michael Parkinson was asked to comment on the fact Charles, despite huge provocation, never retaliated on the field and was never cautioned or sent off in his entire career.

Parkinson's reply was, "There should be a statue of Charles outside every football ground, not for fans, but to remind players of what they can aspire to become." Perfect.

12. Pavel Nedved

Charged with filling the boots of Zidane, many players would wilt. Nedved simply rose to the challenge and made selling the world's best make sense.

The Czech Fury, through sheer force of will, led the Bianconeri to four Serie A titles in five years. In that time, he was also the most instrumental figure in the club's run to the 2003 Champions League Final against Milan.

Sadly this run would end early for Nedved. Following a winning goal in the quarterfinal, Nedved put in a Man of The Match performance in the Second Leg of the semifinal against Zidane's Madrid.

After scoring the winner, Nedved received a yellow card, which cruely ruled him out of the final. Stripped of their playmaker, Juventus faltered and lost on penalties.

Nedved won the European Player of the Year award for his efforts, yet seemed so disappointed because the team trophy meant so much more. Nedved would also put the club first in 2006, staying after demotion to Serie B.

There he was again a key figure as Juve overturned an 18-point penalty to win the league and secure the return to Serie A.

11. Gianluigi Buffon

The winning goalkeeper from the 2006 World Cup is perhaps the world's best of all time. His prowess between the posts is phenomenal, and he deserves the "Superman" moniker by which he is known.

He is a nine-time Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year and has also won the UEFA Best Goalkeeper award four times.

Since joining Juventus in 2001 for a world record fee for a goalkeeper, he has won four scudetti, two Italian Supercups and the 2007 Serie B title. He was also part of the squad which lost the 2003 Champions League final on penalties.

The fact that he stayed with the club following its relegation in 2006 means Buffon holds a place in the heart of all true Juventini. For the best keeper in the world to stay loyal means so much.

10. Ciro Ferrara

Ciro Ferrara is part of two of world football's greatest dynasties. Beginning his career at hometown club Napoli, he played a part in helping Diego Maradona propel the minnows to success at home and in Europe.

Following Napoli coach Marcello Lippi to Turin, an association between the two men began, which remains strong to this day.

A tough, uncompromising centre back, Ferrara continued his silverware collection in Turin, adding six scudetti to the two he won in Naples. Also, he also won the 1996 Champions League, an Intercontinental Cup, the InterToto Cup, a European Super Cup, an Italian Cup and four Italian SuperCups.

The one thing which makes Ferrara less well-known worldwide is that he was in his prime at the same time as Maldini, Baresi, Cannavaro and Nesta. The lack of International recognition limited the quality defender to just 49 caps, many as a sub.

There is a nice twist to the story. As a 17-year=old debutant for Napoli, Ferrara was held to a 0-0 draw. The opponent that day in 1984? Juventus.

9. Antonio Cabrini

Bell'Antonio was, fittingly, beautiful to watch. He was an amazing defender blessed with pace, power, technique, technical ability and an unteachable sense of what was happening on the pitch.

He played over 350 games and stayed in Bianconero for 13 years. During his time, he won six scudetti, two Italian Cups, a European Cup, the UEFA Cup, an Intercontinental Cup and an Italian SuperCup.

Another World Cup winner as part of the 1982 Italy squad, Cabrini has proved a tough act to follow. Perhaps only Andrea Fortunato came close to replicating his style and success at left back.

8. Roberto Bettega

A rarity among Juve players, Bettega is actually a Turin native. He was one of the country's best strikers and is currently third all time among Juventus goal scorers, as well as holding the fourth highest number of apperances for the club.

He won seven scudetti, the UEFA Cup and two Italian Cup wins. Unlike many players on this list, he is not a World Cup winner, but managed an incredible 19 goals in 42 International Caps.

7. Dino Zoff

Quite simply amazing. Zoff spent his entire career setting records that remain unbroken, and others that make current players legends simply by breaking a Zoff record!

He has the third highest number of caps for Italy, behind Cannavaro and Maldini. He is the oldest player to win the World Cup at 40 in 1982. He kept a clean sheet for a record 1,142 minutes in International tournaments. He was the oldest player to play in Serie A for 20 years. He is the only Italian to win the World Cup and European Championships.

Zoff collected winners medals at Juve for six scudetti, the UEFA Cup and two Italian Cups.

6. Roberto Baggio

Widely regarded as THE best of his generation, everything he did was seemingly his accomplishment alone.

His transfer from Fiorentina to Juve single-handedly ignited the fierce rivalry between the clubs after a few years of tolerance. His form in Bianconeri seemed to transform the club from also rans into the dominant force in Italian football.

Indeed after years of playing second-best to Milan, the arrival of the Divine Ponytail in Turin brought the scudetto back after a 10-year wait. He also led them to the 1993 UEFA Cup, the first trophy for the new cycle that began with his arrival. His two goals in the final sealed the title.

His performances earned him both the European and World Player of the Year awards in 1993.

He is well known worldwide for the penalty miss in the 1994 World Cup Final, but without Baggio, Italy would've been on the first plane home. Ironically,
his record of scoring 76 goals from 91 penalties is an Italian record!

He has also scored nine goals in World Cup tournaments, and the opening game of USA '94, a 1-0 defeat to Eire, is the only game in 16 Baggio was on the losing side.

5. Antonio Conte

One of the most heavily-decorated players in Juve history and captain throughout a period of sustained success, Conte truly is a legend at Juventus.

In 12 years with the club, he won five scudetti, and was runner-up five more times. He won the Champions League in 1996 and reached the final four other times. The UEFA Cup was added in 1993, with a final apperance in 1995.

He also won the Italian Cup in 1995, reaching another three finals and has winners medals for four Italian SuperCups, the Intertoto Cup, the UEFA SupeCup and the Inter Continental Cup.

He took part in Euro 2000 and World Cup 1994, reaching both finals with Italy.

Simply put, he is a winner, perhaps one of the greatest the game has seen, while also being one of world football's most underrated midfielders.

4. Giampiero Boniperti

Played 16 years for the club he signed for at age 16, Boniperti was the club's highest ever goal scorer for over 40 years with 178 in 444 apperances.

He formed the deadliest front three in Italian football—alongside Omar Sivori and John Charles—with over 400 goals between them. Boniperti was the Captain of that side and led his team impeccably for the remainder of his career.

His international career was not at the same high standard, managing only 38 caps during the baren 1950s and early 1960s for the Azzurri. However, his leadership was recognised. He was captain for 24 of those caps.

A true legend, Boniperti became president of the club for life.

3. Michel Platini

"I began by playing for the biggest club in Lorraine, went on to the biggest club in France and ended up with the biggest in the world."

For five years, between 1982 and 1987, Platini simply was Juventus. In 1983, the club won the Italian Cup and lost to Hamburg in the European Cup Final. Platini was the European Player of the Year and Serie A's top scorer.

A year later, he won the same individual awards, but added the World Player of the Year. He also led Juve to the scudetto, Cup Winners Cup and UEFA SuperCup.

In 1985, Platini would again be Serie A top scorer, European Player of the Year, and this time he won the biggest prize, leading Juventus to their first European Cup win. He was Europe's top goal scorer as well, earning yet another World Player of the Year award.

Another scudetto followed in 1986, but for the three previous seasons, Platini was untouchable, easily the world's best player. Showing his class and dominance over such a spell took its toll, and he was never quite the same player again. But nobody since has quite dominated world football in the same manner.

2. Gaetano Scirea

THE captain. One of only five men to win all available trophies. Never booked despite playing over 450 games at centre back for club and country.

Of all the players to grace the Bianconeri shirt, and just looking down this list the names are incredible, only one man has a stand named for him. The curva Scirea is the home of true Juventini, and the man who's name it carries is simply a legend.

His presence prevented Franco Baresi from becoming an established international. His attacking play was years ahead of its time and made the libero position a true weapon.

The 1982 World Cup win would not have been possible without him. His grace and flair were irreplacable and impeccable. His trophy haul is unbelievable. Seven scudetti, two Italian Cups, a UEFA Cup, Cup Winners Cup, European Cup, UEFA Super Cup and an Intercontinental Cup.

Not many holes in the record there, and a career filled with memories that still loom large in the minds of Juve fans everywhere. Sorely missed, and never forgotten.

1. Alessandro Del Piero

A legend in our lifetime. The club's all-time leading scorer and apperance maker. His dignity, loyalty and professionalism are sadly lacking in most current players.

His contributions, ranging from being “the man” in the years 1996 to 1998, to being only a squad player by 2005 under Fabio Capello, are writ large in club history, as he set records every time he steps on the field.

It is not only his loyalty that make him No. 1 here, his medal haul compares with the best: seven scudetti, an Italian Cup, four Italian SuperCups, the 2007 Serie B title, 1996 Champions League, a UEFA Super Cup, Intertoto Cup and the 1996 Intercontinental Cup.

He has also won the scoring title in both Serie A and B, is a three time Italian Player of the Year and a World Cup winner with Italy in 2006.

The example he set as captain during the Calciopoli scandal later that same summer is perhaps his greatest accomplishment however. He never complained at all he had lost, never bemoaned former teammates for abandoning la vecchia signora at her most vulnerable moment.

When other high-profile players demanded transfers, Ale remained silent. At just the right time, when Juventini across the globe despaired at the demise of our illustrious club, up stepped our captain.

He pledged his undying loyalty to the club, and its tifosi. He told stories of his first bianconeri shirt as a child and of the sense of belonging it gave him. Here was possibly our greatest hero, a World Cup winner, talking as one of us, a fan.

For this selfless act of loyalty, love and devotion, for the records he continues to set, I can say this man, this player is, as Muhammad Ali would have it, “The Greatest of All Times.”