Inter Milan: My All Time Best XI

Making an all-time XI for Inter Milan wasn’t an easy task judging from the bunch of talents that have laced their boot for the club. It was a little easier when I brought the following criteria into consideration: 1) The length of a player’s career with Inter 2) Players that spent their best years with Inter and 3) The player’s achievements with Inter. Sit back and enjoy!

Formation: 4-3-1-2

Manager: Helenio Herrera (1960-68)

GK: Julio César Soares de Espindola (2005- present)

Since joining Inter from Chievo, the 32-year-old Brazilian has been outstanding: gifted with excellent reflexes, ability to control the defence, self confidence and launching attacks with long throws. So far with Inter, he has won 5 Scudetto, 3 Coppa Italia, 4 Super Coppa Italiana, 1 UEFA Champions League and 1 FIFA World Club Cup.

Honorable mentions: Walter Zenga and Francesco Toldo

RB: Javier Zanetti(1995-present)

In his 16 years at Inter, the athletic, utility and energetic full-back/midfielder has achieved a massive list of honours and still counting: 5 Serie A Scudetto, 4 Coppa Italia, 4 Super Coppa Italiana, 1 UEFA Champions League, 1 UEFA Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.

CB: Giuseppe Bergomi (1979-1999)

The former ‘Nerazzurri’ captain deserves a place owing to his commitment to Inter. He spent his entire 20-years career with the club and made 758 appearances, scoring 28 goals. Considering the years he spent at Inter and playing for the Italian national team, the uncompromising man-marker grabbed 1 Serie A Scudetto, 3 UEFA Cups, 1 Coppa Italia, Italian Super Cup and the 1982 FIFA World Cup.

CB: Sinisa Mihajloviç (2004-2006)

From my selection criteria, he doesn’t deserve to be listed. But I have a special admiration for this Serbian. He joined Inter from Lazio in 2004 at age 35. He was noted for scoring free-kicks, taking corner-kicks and spot-kicks. He had excellent vision and was a master of through-balls. Mihajloviç ended his playing career after the 2005-06 season, aged 37, having one Scudetto, two Coppa Italia trophies and a Super Coppa Italia title as an Inter Milan player.

Honorable mentions: Taribo West and Marco Materazzi

LB: Giacinto Facchetti (1960-78)

Facchetti, who was an integral part of ’1960 La Grande’ Inter, isn’t just considered Inter Milan’s best left back but one of the greatest left backs of all time. Facchetti did not dedicate only his career to Inter but also his life, playing for 16 years, making 629 appearances and scoring 75 goals. He later then held various managerial positions at Inter. The legendary captain has a basket full of achievements and honours: 4 Serie A Scudetto, 1 Coppa Italia, 2 European Cup- Winners trophies, 2 Intercontinental Cups and is a Euro 68 winner.

DM: Esteban Cambiasso (2004-Present)

This is another current player making the squad. He was a fringe player at Real Madrid, but was sold to Inter where he had the opportunity to prove his mettle. He plays in the defensive midfield role, which is why it’s no wonder he’s widely known as Inter Milan’s midfield heartbeat. A player who reads the game like few others, the Argentine international offers protection to defence and thrust in attack, with his probing runs and neat distribution. As an Inter player, he has achieved 5 Serie A Scudetto, 4 Coppa Italia, 4 Super Coppa Italiana, 1 UEFA Champions league and 1 FIFA Club World Cup.

CM: Luis Suarez (1961-70)

The La Coruna, Galacia, Spain-born central midfielder was known for his elegant and graceful style of play, making him one of Spain’s greatest ever players. He was nicknamed “El Arquitecto” (The Architect) due to his passing skills and explosive shots. He made 328 appearances for ‘La Grande’ Inter, and scored 55 goals between 1961-1970. During his 9-year reign at Inter, he achieved 3 Serie A Scudetto, 2 European cups and 2 Intercontinental cups.

Honorable mention: Alvaro Recoba

AM: Dejan Stankoviç (2004-present)

This Serbian has spent 8 years in Inter, and still counting. He’s been a favourite in almost all Inter managers’ starting XI. He plays in the central or attacking midfield position and is known for his unrivaled strength, shooting ability, excellent ball control and vision for passes. So far at Inter, he has won 1 UEFA Champions league trophy, 1 Club World Cup, 4 Coppa Italia, 4 European Super Cup and 5 Serie A Scudetto.

AM: Alessandro Mazzola (1960-1977)

Mazzola was another true ‘Nerazzurri’ who played a major role in 1960′s ‘La Grande’ Inter. He spent 17 years in Inter Milan playing as a forward or midfielder, where he made 417 appearances and scored 116 goals. The creative utility player was blessed with brilliant close ball control and ability to shoot with both legs. He won 4 Serie A Scudetto, 2 European cups, 2 Intercontinental cups, Euro 68 and was Serie A’s top scorer (1964/65)

Honorable mention: Roberto Baggio

CS: Giuseppe Meazza (1927-1940, 1946/47)

Meazza dedicated a major part of his career to Inter and his unparalleled achievements have made him worthy to make it into my team. He made his name as a striker and then later as a midfielder. He was a brilliant leader with excellent dribbling and shooting skills, was a good passer and a dangerous header. Nonetheless, he had a stint with AC Milan which is why it’s no wonder that the ‘San Siro’ stadium was re-named after him (Giuseppe Meazza), in his honour. His 243 goals in 365 games helped him win 3 Serie A Scudetto, 1 Coppa Italia, 2 Dr. Gero cups. He also won the FIFA World Cup with Italy in 1934 and 1938.

Honorable mentions: Ronaldo and Matteo Altobelli

CF: Christian Vieri (1999-2005)

The Bologna-born forward joined inter from Lazio with a world record transfer fee of £32 million. During his 6 year stint at Inter, he had a total of 143 appearances and 103 goals. Vieri was often described as an old fashioned forward, due to his physical presence and outstanding aerial ability (all-time top scorer of headed goals in Italian history). His 6-year reign at Inter brought some achievements to him and Inter: 1 Coppa Italia, 1 Super Coppa Italia, 1 Serie A top scorer (2003), Serie A footballer of the year (1999), 2 Italian footballer of the year titles (1999,2002) and Guerin d’Oro (2002).

Honorable mentions: Lothar Mathaeus and Lorenzi

Written by Aniefiok OkonFollow him on Twitter @soccerani

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