Italian footballers have continued to dominate European football with their consistency and influence. From legendary names like Buffon to Maldini, Italy has continued to produce some of the most high-profile players over the years.
Here is the best Italian players in every position from goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders and strikers currently:
20. Matteo Politano (Winger)
Matteo Politano is another household name in the Italian Serie A with his consistency in the books of Napoli. The right winger is at the peak of his career, winning the Serie A, Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana with the club.
He has also been a part of the Italian national team and has represented the team at various age grades and the senior national team.
19. Giacomo Raspadori (Forward/Striker)
Raspadori is known for his flexibility and quality attacking options. He is a quick and agile forward known for his ability to play as a second striker, a centre forward or an out-and-out striker. Oftentimes, he has been deployed as an attacking midfielder and as a winger.
He plays with both feet and has been applauded for his vision and technical skills as well as his ability to create chances and score goals.
18. Gianluca Scamacca (Forward/Striker)
Scamacca is another top-level centre-forward known for his eye for physical strength and powerful shot. He has featured for some high-profile European teams, including West Ham United and Atalanta.
He is a technical player known for his tendency to drop deep and operate inside the box. He won two trophies (the Conference League with West Ham and the Europa League with Atalanta) within two years.
17. Andrea Cambiaso (Defender)
Andrea Cambiaso is one of the fastest-rising defenders in European football. The youngster has shown to be a versatile wingback who has brought solidity to the Juventus defence after breaking into the first team in the 2023–24 football season.
Andrea Cambiaso is known for his ability to play multiple positions with ease. He is a traditional fullback capable of playing in forward positions. He offers defensive solidity with his ability to adapt to multiple positions.
Cambiaso has been consistent and has had an impact on the Juventus defence.
16. Matteo Gabbia (Defender)
Matteo Gabbia is one of the best centre backs in the Italian Serie A right now. He is in the books of AC Milan. He is a versatile player capable of playing in deeper positions, especially in centre-back. He is known for passing the ball over long distances and contributing offensively.
15. Leonardo Spinazzola (Winger)
Leonardo Spinazzola plays as a left wingback and is currently in the books of Napoli. He is known for his ability to play in multiple areas in the defence and in attack.
Leonardo Spinazzola is a quick and athletic player with an offensive approach to the game. He has been a key player for Napoli since his arrival at the club in 2023.
14. Guglielmo Vicario (Goalkeeper)
Guglielmo Vicario has been a regular figure in the Tottenham team and is currently ranked among the best goalkeepers in the English Premier League. So far, he has made significant contributions since his arrival at the club in 2013.
13. Federico Chiesa (Forward/Striker)
Federico Chiesa is a player known for his ability to play a variety of roles, including as a second striker and left or right winger. He is currently in the books of Premier League giants Liverpool FC.
12. Riccardo Calafiori (Defender)
Riccardo Calafiori is one of the best defensive options at Arsenal in the Premier League and has consistently held the left-back position at the club. He is known for his composure and creativity.
He struggled during 2024/25 but now commands a strong position in the team and maintains his status as one of the key players for Arsenal.
11. Destiny Udogie (Defender)
Destiny Udogie has been a key player for Spurs over the last couple of seasons with his impressive form in the team. He plays primarily at left back and has been impactful.
10. Mateo Retegui (Forward/Striker)
Mateo Retegui is one of the most outstanding forwards in the world, with his goalscoring attracting attention from football fans.
He was in fine form during the 2024/25 season and was awarded the Serie A Best Striker. He began his professional career with Boca Juniors before moving to Genoa and eventually earning a move to Atalanta. He is currently in the books of Al-Qadsiah in the Saudi Pro League.
9. Giovanni Di Lorenzo (Defender)
Giovanni Di Lorenzo has been at the heart of Napoli's defence over the years and leads the team as captain. He has played a significant role in the team's success, from winning the Italian Serie A to lifting the Coppa Italia with the club.
Giovanni Di Lorenzo has been a consistent performer for the club and has been applauded for his style of play.
8. Alessandro Bastoni (Defender)
Alessandro Bastoni is one of the renowned modern defenders in world football, known for his consistency over the years. He has been a key player for Inter Milan and played a significant role in the club's domestic and Champions League campaign.
He has also played a key role in the Italian national team, ranking among the most reliable players. This season is not different even as the defender continues to make regular appearances for Inter Milan across all competitions.
7. Federico Dimarco (Defender)
Federico Dimarco is another standout performer, earning a position as one of the best centre backs in world football. He is arguably one of the best players at Inter Milan over the last couple of seasons.
Dimarco has been outstanding year after year and has been a key defensive player for Inter Milan. He stands out for his defensive and offensive prowess. His approach to the game and consistency make him a reliable player.
6. Riccardo Orsolini (Winger)
Riccardo Orsolini is another top player in the Bologna setup, especially in the Bologna attack. His form was outstanding as Bologna went on to win the Coppa Italia title in 2025.
Over the years, he has continued to produce some of the finest performances for his club week in and week out. He is also known for his goal-scoring abilities.
5. Manuel Locatelli (Midfielder)
Juventus One of the key elements of the Juventus first team is Manuel Locatelli, who has consistently fed the team with his experience and leadership. The captain is considered to be one of the best midfielders in the world.
Manuel Locatelli is a decent midfield opinion, a top player known for his intelligent decision-making, defensive work rate, ball distribution, superb vision, and instigating counter-attacks. He would be a long-term solution for the team.
4. Moise Kean (Forward/Striker)
Moise Kean has consistently ranked among the best players from Italy over the years. He has played for some high-profile names like PSG, Everton, and Juventus. He is a prolific goal scorer, incredibly fast and with great skills.
3. Gianluigi Donnarumma (Goalkeeper)
Gianluigi Donnarumma is ranked as one of the best goalkeepers in world football, having performed excellently at AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain.
Gianluigi Donnarumma played a key role, winning multiple domestic league titles, a Cup, a Super Cup and the UEFA Champions League in France with PSG before making the switch to English football giants Manchester City. Throughout his career, he has proven to be part of the defensive system with his record.
2. Nicolò Barella (Midfielder)
Nicolò Barella has been a central figure in the Inter Milan setup over the years and is known for his versatility and consistency. He is regarded as one of the best midfielders in the world. The midfielder has played a significant role throughout.
Inter Milan’s Champions League campaign. His performance in the Italian Serie A has continued to draw interest from top football fans.
1. Sandro Tonali (Midfielder)
Sandro Tonali is one of the most popular names when it comes to ranking the best-performing Italian players in Europe and in world football. He currently laces his boots for Newcastle United and has been a key player since the 2024/25 season.
The Italian has been a solid figure and is known for his ability to show up in high-profile games. After an impressive career in Italy with AC Milan, he joined Newcastle United in 2023 for around €58.90m.