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| Giuseppe Bergomi and Ricardo Ferri |
Some of the unpublished posts from this blog have been turned into a two-volume book: The Multiverse of the Beautiful Game: National Teams of Pure Fantasy.
Volume 1 takes you back in time and asks the questions every football fan has dreamed about. What if Brazil had a more beautiful team in 1982 — would they have cruised to the title? What if the United Kingdom could send its team to the 1970 World Cup? I believe they would have been the strongest side on earth. What if Argentina had fielded both Omar Sivori and Alfredo Di Stéfano together in 1958? What if Johan Cruyff had lined up alongside Marco van Basten, Ruud Gullit, and Frank Rijkaard? What if Eusébio had played for Brazil? And that's only scratching the surface — Volume 1 is packed with legendary "what ifs" that will keep you turning pages.
Volume 2 brings the fantasy closer to home. What if England had Michael Olise, Erling Haaland and others in 2026 — could they go all the way? What if Yugoslavia had gone to the World Cup in 2018? What if the United States could select more players in 2010? It would be the greatest American side ever. And what if Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi had actually played for the same national team in 2006? It could have happened — if the soccer gods had smiled on us.
Some of the unpublished posts from this blog have been turned into a two-volume book: The Multiverse of the Beautiful Game: National Teams of Pure Fantasy.
Volume 1 takes you back in time and asks the questions every football fan has dreamed about. What if Brazil had a more beautiful team in 1982 — would they have cruised to the title? What if the United Kingdom could send its team to the 1970 World Cup? I believe they would have been the strongest side on earth. What if Argentina had fielded both Omar Sivori and Alfredo Di Stéfano together in 1958? What if Johan Cruyff had lined up alongside Marco van Basten, Ruud Gullit, and Frank Rijkaard? What if Eusébio had played for Brazil? And that's only scratching the surface — Volume 1 is packed with legendary "what ifs" that will keep you turning pages.
Volume 2 brings the fantasy closer to home. What if England had Michael Olise, Erling Haaland and others in 2026 — could they go all the way? What if Yugoslavia had gone to the World Cup in 2018? What if the United States could select more players in 2010? It would be the greatest American side ever. And what if Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi had actually played for the same national team in 2006? It could have happened — if the soccer gods had smiled on us.
Please also see my All-Time World Cup Team Index.
This is my selection of a 25 member all-time team for Inter Milan's Italian players only. The number 25 was chosen because it is the official squad size for the Champions' League.
AC Milan All-Time Team
AC Milan All-Time Italian Team
AC Milan All-Time Foreign Player Team
Inter Milan All-Time Team
This is my selection of a 25 member all-time team for Inter Milan's Italian players only. The number 25 was chosen because it is the official squad size for the Champions' League.
AC Milan All-Time Team
AC Milan All-Time Italian Team
AC Milan All-Time Foreign Player Team
Inter Milan All-Time Team
Inter Milan All-Time Team for Foreign Players
Inter Milan won back-to-back European Cup in the early 1960's. Led by Coach Helenio Herrera, the team was known as "La Grande Inter". Herrera introduced a new tactics that would changed Italian football. His method revolutionized the Italian "Catenaccio", a defensive tactics used by the Italians. Under Herrera, Inter Milan played with hard-tackling defenders and overlapping fullbacks. In 2009-2010, Inter Milan won the Champions League again under Jose Mourinho.
RB: Tarcisio Burgnich
Throughout his career, Burgnich played for Udinese, Juventus, Palermo, Internazionale, and Napoli; although he won titles with both Juventus and Napoli, he is best known for his time with Inter Milan, where he was a member of manager Helenio Herrera's Grande Inter side. He won two European Cups. He also participated and won the European Championship in 1968 with Italy. In total, he had 66 caps. he went to the 1966 and 1970 World Cup Finals.
CB/RB: Giuseppe Bergomi
Giuseppe Bergomi was one of Inter Milan's greatest defender, winning one scudetto and three UEFA Cups with them. He played his entire career with Inter Milan. He held the record of most appearance in the UEFA Cup. At the international level, Bergomi was a part of the strong defensive units of the national team throughout 1980's. He was capped 81 times between 1982 and 1998. He won the World Cup in 1982 and appeared in the 1986 and 1990 World Cup Finals.
SW: Armando Picchi
Armando Picchi was the captain of La Garnde Inter. The team was transformed when Helenio Herrera moved him to the libero position during the 1961-1962 season and a legendary team was born. He was often credited of changing how the position was played. He was capped 12 times by the Azzurri, but he was left out of the 1966 World Cup team and an injury prevented him from playing at the European Championship of 1968, in which Italy won.
CM: Aldo Campatelli
Born in Milan, Aldo Campatelli made his debut with Inter Milan at the age of 17 in 1939. He played with them until 1950. He won two Serie A titles with Inter Milan before the war as their captain. From 1950 to 1953, he played with Bologna. He was capped 7 times between 1939 and 1950, and a member of the 1950 World Cup team.
CM: Virgilio Fossati
Between 1910 and 1915, Fossati spent his entire career with Internazionale. He played 97 times for the club and scored 4 goals. Throughout his career, Fossati served as Inter and Italy's captain and also the first Inter player to play with the Italian national team. He served as Inter's coach between 1909 and 1915 while he was still a player. He died in 1916 during the First World War during a battle.
AM/LM/CM: Evaristo Beccalossi
Beccalossi started his football career with his hometown club Brescia in 1972, and later became a favorite of the Inter Milan fans, where he spent the majority of his career, from 1978–79 to 1983–84. Together with Alessandro Altobelli, Beccalossi formed one of the longest standing offensive partnerships of Serie A's recent history. They initially played together at Brescia and later became the teammates at Inter. He was uncapped.
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| Giacinto Facchetti and Sandro Mazzola |
Team
GK: Walter Zenga
Walter Zenga was considered one of Italy's greatest keepers. He played 58 times for Italy, notably at the 1990 World Cup Finals in Italy. He had five clean sheets, a total of 518 minutes without conceding a goal, a record still standing in the World Cup Finals. He played mainly for Inter Milan where he is one of their greatest players, but also with Sampdoria, Padova and New England Revolution in the MLS of the USA. He won two UEFA Cups with Inter Milan.
GK: Francesco Toldo (Italy)
Toldo started with AC Milan, but never got his chance. He later starred for Fiorentina and Inter Milan. With Inter Milan, he was a a part of the team that won five Serie A titles. He was one of the best keepers in the world in his prime. He had stiff competition in the national team from Angelo Peruzzi and Gianluigi Buffon, but still managed to start during the Euro 2000. He was the hero of the semifinal game vs Holland and named to the team of the tournament.
GK: Giuliano Sarti
Giuliano Sarti had done well in European football. In 1960-61, he helped Fiorentina to win the Cup Winners' Cup. In 1963, he joined Inter Milan and became the starting keeper of La Grande Inter under Helenio Herrera. He won back-to-back European Cup with them in 1964 and 1965. He later served as a backup in Juventus. He had 8 caps with the Italian national team between 1959 and 1967.
RB: Tarcisio Burgnich
Throughout his career, Burgnich played for Udinese, Juventus, Palermo, Internazionale, and Napoli; although he won titles with both Juventus and Napoli, he is best known for his time with Inter Milan, where he was a member of manager Helenio Herrera's Grande Inter side. He won two European Cups. He also participated and won the European Championship in 1968 with Italy. In total, he had 66 caps. he went to the 1966 and 1970 World Cup Finals.
CB/RB: Giuseppe Bergomi
Giuseppe Bergomi was one of Inter Milan's greatest defender, winning one scudetto and three UEFA Cups with them. He played his entire career with Inter Milan. He held the record of most appearance in the UEFA Cup. At the international level, Bergomi was a part of the strong defensive units of the national team throughout 1980's. He was capped 81 times between 1982 and 1998. He won the World Cup in 1982 and appeared in the 1986 and 1990 World Cup Finals.
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| Giuseppe Bergomi |
CB/RB: Aristide Guarneri
Guarnieri made his professional debut for Como in 1957, also playing for Internazionale, Bologna, Napoli, and ending his career with Cremonese 1973. He was part of Inter Milan's European Cup victories in 1964 and 1965 under manager Helenio Herrera. Guarnieri obtained 21 caps for Italy between 1963–1968. He was a part of the team that won the 1968 European Championship on home soil.
CB: Riccardo Ferri
Riccardo Ferri spent most of his career with Inter Milan. With them, he won two UEFA Cups in 1991 and 1994, and a Serie A title in 1989. He had 45 caps between 1986 and 1992. He played at the 1988 European Championship and the 1990 World Cup Finals in Italy. Italy reached semifinal on each occasion. Between 1994 and 1996, he played with Sampdoria along side his former Inter Milan teammate Walter Zenga.
CB: Giuseppe Baresi Giuseppe Baresi spent 16 seasons at Inter Milan while captaining the team from 1988 to 1992. He won two league titles and the UEFA Cup in 1990-1991. He spent two years in Moderna before retiring .For the national team, he was a starter at the World Cup Finals in 1986. He was also at the European Championship in 1980, where he played alongside his younger brother Franco Baresi of AC Milan. It was the only tournament where both brothers attempted together. He had 18 caps between 1979 and 1986.
SW: Armando Picchi
Armando Picchi was the captain of La Garnde Inter. The team was transformed when Helenio Herrera moved him to the libero position during the 1961-1962 season and a legendary team was born. He was often credited of changing how the position was played. He was capped 12 times by the Azzurri, but he was left out of the 1966 World Cup team and an injury prevented him from playing at the European Championship of 1968, in which Italy won.
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| Armando Picchi |
LB: Giacinto Facchetti
Until the emerge of Paolo Maldini, Giacinto Facchetti was considered to be Italy's greatest left back. He spent his entire career with Inter Milan from 1960 to 1978. He was the star wingback of La Grande Inter where they won back-to-back European Cups in the 1960's. He was capped 94 times for Italy. He was the captain of the nation team that won the European Championship in 1968 with Italy. He also played in 1966, 1970 and 1974 World Cup Finals.
LB: Luigi Allemandi
Allemandi debuted in 1921 with A.C. Legnano. Later, he played with Juventus F.C., F.C. Internazionale Milano, A.S. Roma, S.S.C. Venezia and S.S. Lazio. However, the part of his career that stands out is the corruption scandal in the Torino–Juventus derby in 1927 that resulted in Torino being stripped of their title. He played 24 times for Italy winning g the 1934 World Cup. He later served as Italy's captain between 1935 and 1936.
DM: Nicola Berti
Nicola Berti started his career as a seventeen-year-old with Parma under manager Arrigo Sacchi. After three seasons at Fiorentina he was signed by Internazionale in 1988 where he formed a notable midfield partnership with Lothar Matthäus, and was part of a team which won the 1988–89 record breaking Scudetto. He also won two UEFA Cups. At the international level, he earned 39 caps between 1988 and 1995 for Italy. He appeared in both 1990 and 1994 World Cup Finals.
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| Nicola Berti |
DM: Gabriele Oriali
Gabriele Oriali was the starting defensive midfielder at the 1982 World Cup Finals in Spain. He also participated in European Championship in 1980. For Italy, he had 28 caps between 1978 and 1983. He was a great destroyer at his time. He played mainly for Inter Milan between 1970 and 1983, but also with Fiorentina between 1983 and 1987. He won two scudettos and two Italian Cups with Inter Milan.
CM: Aldo Campatelli
Born in Milan, Aldo Campatelli made his debut with Inter Milan at the age of 17 in 1939. He played with them until 1950. He won two Serie A titles with Inter Milan before the war as their captain. From 1950 to 1953, he played with Bologna. He was capped 7 times between 1939 and 1950, and a member of the 1950 World Cup team.
CM: Virgilio Fossati
Between 1910 and 1915, Fossati spent his entire career with Internazionale. He played 97 times for the club and scored 4 goals. Throughout his career, Fossati served as Inter and Italy's captain and also the first Inter player to play with the Italian national team. He served as Inter's coach between 1909 and 1915 while he was still a player. He died in 1916 during the First World War during a battle.
AM/LM/CM: Evaristo Beccalossi
Beccalossi started his football career with his hometown club Brescia in 1972, and later became a favorite of the Inter Milan fans, where he spent the majority of his career, from 1978–79 to 1983–84. Together with Alessandro Altobelli, Beccalossi formed one of the longest standing offensive partnerships of Serie A's recent history. They initially played together at Brescia and later became the teammates at Inter. He was uncapped.
CM/AM: Sandro Mazzola
Sandro Mazzola was a part of Inter Milan's "La Grande Inter". He won four Serie A titles (1963, 1965, 1966 and 1971), two European Cups (1964 and 1965) and two Intercontinental Cups (1964 and 1965). He won the Euro 1968 with the Azzurri and led them to the WC Finals in 1970. During his career, he was known for sharing the starting position with AC Milan's Gianni Rivera on the national team. His father was Valentino Mazzola who died when Sandro was 7 years old.
Sandro Mazzola was a part of Inter Milan's "La Grande Inter". He won four Serie A titles (1963, 1965, 1966 and 1971), two European Cups (1964 and 1965) and two Intercontinental Cups (1964 and 1965). He won the Euro 1968 with the Azzurri and led them to the WC Finals in 1970. During his career, he was known for sharing the starting position with AC Milan's Gianni Rivera on the national team. His father was Valentino Mazzola who died when Sandro was 7 years old.
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| Sandro Mazzola |
FW/RW: Angelo Domenghini
Domenghini began his career with Atalanta in 1960, winning the Coppa Italia in 1963. He then moved to Inter Milan in 1964, and was a member of Helenio Herrera's "Grande Inter". He also later played for Cagliari, forming an attacking trio alongside Gigi Riva and Sergio Gori, as they went on to win the Serie A title. He was capped on 33 times for Italy. In the Euro 1968 final, he notably scored the equaliser against Yugoslavia, in which Italy won the title in the replay. He also played in Mexico 1970.
LW: Mario Corso
Mario Corso was one of the greatest Italian wingers of all-time. Nicknamed "God's Left Foot", he was a part of La Grande Inter of the 1960's. Except for two seasons with Genoa at the end of his career, he played his entire career with Inter Milan. At the international level, he earned 23 caps for Italy, but was never selected for any major tournament. He earned the nicknames "Mandrake" and "God's Left Foot".
FW: Luigi Cevenini
Luigi Cevenini's professional career lasted from 1911 to 1939. He played for many clubs. He played 190 times for Inter Milan and scored 156 goals, winning the Italian Prima Divisione title in 1920. From 1915 to 1929, he played 29 times for Italy. His four brothers also played professional football. His elder brother Aldo represented Italy 11 times. To distinguish them, Aldo was known as Cevenini I, Mario as Cevenini II, Luigi as Cevenini III, Cesare as Cevenini IV and Carlo as Cevenini V.
FW: Giuseppe Meazza
Domenghini began his career with Atalanta in 1960, winning the Coppa Italia in 1963. He then moved to Inter Milan in 1964, and was a member of Helenio Herrera's "Grande Inter". He also later played for Cagliari, forming an attacking trio alongside Gigi Riva and Sergio Gori, as they went on to win the Serie A title. He was capped on 33 times for Italy. In the Euro 1968 final, he notably scored the equaliser against Yugoslavia, in which Italy won the title in the replay. He also played in Mexico 1970.
LW: Mario Corso
Mario Corso was one of the greatest Italian wingers of all-time. Nicknamed "God's Left Foot", he was a part of La Grande Inter of the 1960's. Except for two seasons with Genoa at the end of his career, he played his entire career with Inter Milan. At the international level, he earned 23 caps for Italy, but was never selected for any major tournament. He earned the nicknames "Mandrake" and "God's Left Foot".
FW: Luigi Cevenini
Luigi Cevenini's professional career lasted from 1911 to 1939. He played for many clubs. He played 190 times for Inter Milan and scored 156 goals, winning the Italian Prima Divisione title in 1920. From 1915 to 1929, he played 29 times for Italy. His four brothers also played professional football. His elder brother Aldo represented Italy 11 times. To distinguish them, Aldo was known as Cevenini I, Mario as Cevenini II, Luigi as Cevenini III, Cesare as Cevenini IV and Carlo as Cevenini V.
FW: Giuseppe Meazza
Giuseppe Meazza is one of Italy's greatest players. At the international level, he had 53 caps, scorimg 33 times. He led Italy winning two World Cups in 1934 and 1938. He was probably the best player in the 1930's. He was the best player at the 1934 World Cup Finals ands as captain in 1938. At the club level, he played mainly for Inter Milan in the 1930s, scoring 242 goals in 365 games for the club. He also played for AC Milan, Juventus, Varese, and Atalanta. The home stadium for both AC Milan and Inter Milan in San Siro is named after him.
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| Giuseppe Meazza |
FW: Alessandro Altobelli
Alessandro Altobelli played for Latina and Brescia before joining Inter Milan in 1977, where he became a star at the club. He scored over 200 goals for them. He also spent a season with Juventus in the 1988-1989 season before joining Brescia. For the Italian national team, he had 61 caps. He was best-remembered for scoring a goal against West Germany at the World Cup Final in 1982. He also played in the 1986 World Cup Finals.
Alessandro Altobelli played for Latina and Brescia before joining Inter Milan in 1977, where he became a star at the club. He scored over 200 goals for them. He also spent a season with Juventus in the 1988-1989 season before joining Brescia. For the Italian national team, he had 61 caps. He was best-remembered for scoring a goal against West Germany at the World Cup Final in 1982. He also played in the 1986 World Cup Finals.
ST: Christian Vieri
Christian Vieri was born in Italy, but grew up in Australia. At the club level, he played for 12 clubs in his career. He played in Italy, Spain and France. He was the Serie A Footballer of the Year in 1999. He became the most expensive player in the world when Inter Milan signed him from Lazio. For the national team, he made his debut in 1997 and played in his last game in 2006. He won the Silver in France 1998. He missed out on the 2006 World Cup team, where Italy won the World Cup.
Christian Vieri was born in Italy, but grew up in Australia. At the club level, he played for 12 clubs in his career. He played in Italy, Spain and France. He was the Serie A Footballer of the Year in 1999. He became the most expensive player in the world when Inter Milan signed him from Lazio. For the national team, he made his debut in 1997 and played in his last game in 2006. He won the Silver in France 1998. He missed out on the 2006 World Cup team, where Italy won the World Cup.
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| Christian Vieri |
ST: Benito Lorenzi
Throughout his career (1947–1960), Lorenzi played with Inter Milan, Alessandria, Empoli, Brescia and Varese. He won two back to back Italian league titles (in 1953 and 1954) with Inter, and scored 143 goals in 314 games in official matches. With the Italian national team, Lorenzi scored 4 goals in 14 appearances between 1949 and 1954. He participated in the 1950 and 1954 World Cups with Italy.
ST: Roberto Boninsegna
Throughout his career (1947–1960), Lorenzi played with Inter Milan, Alessandria, Empoli, Brescia and Varese. He won two back to back Italian league titles (in 1953 and 1954) with Inter, and scored 143 goals in 314 games in official matches. With the Italian national team, Lorenzi scored 4 goals in 14 appearances between 1949 and 1954. He participated in the 1950 and 1954 World Cups with Italy.
ST: Roberto Boninsegna
Roberto Boninsegna was a key player as Italy reached the World Cup Final in 1970, scoring Italy's lone goal at the Final. He also played in the World Cup Finals in 1974, but was overlooked for the European Championship in 1968. For his club career, his best years were with Inter Milan, where he won a single scudetto. In 1976, he joined Juventus, winning two more scudetto, an Italian Cup and an UEFA Cup. He was Serie A Top Scorer twice (1970–71, 1971–72).
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Roberto Boinsegna |
Honorable Mention
Gianluca Pagliuca, Giorgio Ghezzi, Ivano Bordon, Marco Materazzi, Giovanni Giacomazzi, Fulvio Collovati, Bruno Bolchi, Graziano Bini, Mario Bertini, Gianfranco Bedin, Giampiero Marini, Gino Armano, Armando Castellazzi, Mario Bertini, Annibale Frossi, Gino Armano, Attilio Giovannini, Giovanni Ferrari, Aldo Serena.
Squad Explanation
-- Only 9 foreign players are on my Inter Milan all-time team. Here are the following 16 Italian players on that team: Roberto Boninsegna, Alessandro Altobelli, Giuseppe Meazza, Sandro Mazzola, Mario Corso, Walter Zenga, Giuliano Sarti, Gabriele Oriali, Tarcisio Burgnich, Giuseppe Bergomi, Giuseppe Baresi, Riccardo Ferri, Armando Picchi and Giacinto Facchetti.
-- The Italian players not on the all-time team included Angelo Domenghini, Aristide Guarneri, Christian Vieri, Luigi Allemandi, Benito Lorenzi, Nicola Berti, Evaristo Beccalossi and Luigi Cevenini.
-- Inter Milan won back-to-back European Cup in the early 1960's with a team known as "Grande Inter". Manager Helenio Herrera transferred the team into the best team in Europe. He also created one of the best defensive club team in history. From that team, I selected Sandro Mazzola, Mario Corso, Aristide Guarneri, Angelo Domenghini, Giuliano Sarti, Tarcisio Burgnich, Armando Picchi and Giacinto Facchetti.
-- Jose Mourinho did not start a single Italian player in the Final of 2010 UEFA Champions League Final. Marco Materazzi came into the game at the 92nd minute. No one on that team earned a spot here.
-- Attilio De Maria and Antonio Angelillo were Argentinian players recruited to play for Italy. All "oriundo" players who were capped first by a non-Italian national team are considered to be foreign players.
-- Jose Mourinho did not start a single Italian player in the Final of 2010 UEFA Champions League Final. Marco Materazzi came into the game at the 92nd minute. No one on that team earned a spot here.
-- Attilio De Maria and Antonio Angelillo were Argentinian players recruited to play for Italy. All "oriundo" players who were capped first by a non-Italian national team are considered to be foreign players.
Goalkeepers
-- I decided not to change the original three keepers selected on my Inter Milan all-time team who are all Italians. The three keepers on this team are Walter Zenga, Francesco Toldo and Giuliano Sarti.
-- Walter Zenga was a lock for the starting spot. Fondly referred to as "Spider-Man" due to his remarkable agility and penalty-saving prowess, he graced Inter's ranks throughout the 1980s and 1990s, playing a vital role in their triumphant Serie A campaign of 1988-1989. He was the overwhelming choice as the greatest goalkeeper for Inter Milan. Giuliano Sarti was one of the protagonists of Inter's victory in the European Cup in 1964 and other domestic competitions.
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| Walter Zenga |
-- The third goalkeeper was between Francesco Toldo, Gianluca Pagliuca, Giorgio Ghezzi and Ivano Bordon.
-- Gianluca Pagliuca was instrumental in securing the UEFA Cup for Inter Milan in 1991, but his time in Inter Milan was short. Ivano Bordon helped Inter win Serie A titles in both 1971 and 1980, and two Coppa Italia titles. He helped to reach the European Cup final in 1972. In the end, I took Francesco Toldo. He played in goal for Nerazzurri goal for almost a decade. Toldo helped to bring home twelve trophies.
-- Piero Campelli, Valentino Degani, Lido Vieri and Lorenzo Buffon. Lorenzo Buffon was known for his career in AC Milan. He actually helped Inter Milan to reach the semi-finals of the 1960-1961 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup. But he won't make this team as an AC Milan greatest goalkeeper.
Defenders
-- Armando Picchi, Giuseppe Bergomi, Ricardo Ferri and Giuseppe Baresi made up all of the central defenders for my Inter Milan All-Time team. During Armando Picchi's captaincy, Inter Milan known as "Grande Inter" as they achieved remarkable success in the 1960s. Under Picchi's leadership, the team secured three scudetti, two European Champions Cups, and two Intercontinental Cups. Giuseppe Bergomi spent over 20 seasons in Inter Milan. He could play in different positions, but I selected him as a central defender. Giuseppe Baresi played for Inter Milan from 1976 to 1992, making nearly 400 Serie A appearances. He was also a part of the Inter Milan side that won the 1990/91 UEFA Cup. Ricardo Ferri was a key member of Inter's defense in the 1988-89 season, where they set a record for the fewest goals conceded in Serie A. All four central defenders were long time player for the team. Marco Materazzi was underrated, and Fulvio Collovati also made honorable mention.
-- Tarcisio Burgnich was a part of La Grande Inter. Javier Zanetti spent 19 years with the club. He held the appearance record in Inter Milan. Then, I selected Aristide Guarneri largely because of his association with La Grande Inter. He was known as a central defender, but started out as a fullback. Giuseppe Bergomi also served as the emergency rightback.
-- Before the emerge of Paulo Maldini, Giacinto Facchetti was considered to be Italy's greatest leftback. Luigi Allemandi edged out Graziano Bini for the left back position.
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| Giacinto Facchetti |
Midfielders/Wingers
-- For defensive midfielders, I had to take Gabriele Oriali. Nicola Berti belonged to the glorious generations in the late 1980's and 1990's. He formed a notable midfield partnership with Lothar Matthäus, and was part of a team which won the 1988–89 record breaking Scudetto. I could move Aristide Guarneri to the midfield position as the emergency backup.
-- Mario Bertini, Gianfranco Bedin, Giampiero Marini and Nicole Berti all played in similar position and roles. So I took Evaristo Beccalossi as one of two remaining midfield spots. He was a playmaker. Nicola Berti was chosen ahead of the other midfielders because his name was mentioned more than others on my research. He was probably better known because he was a modern player. The decision is very close. -- Mario Bertini scored 31 goals for Inter Milan, despite being primarily a defensive player. Thiago Motta played on the treble team. Since his Brazilian caps were unofficial, he was allowed to play for Italy. Consequently, he was regarded and counted as an Italian player.
-- Evaristo Beccalossi was ignored by the Italian national team, but he was respected by Inter Milan. I wanted to reunite him with Alessandro Altobelli. The two started their partnership with Brescia Calcio before playing for Inter Milan.
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| Evaristo Beccalossi |
-- For some strange reasons, Giovanni Ferrari's name was seldom mentioned. So I only put him on honourable mention.
-- Virgilio Fossati was added to the team, largely because he represented the early years of Inter Milan. He was the first ever Inter player capped by Italy. Atilio Demaría and Armando Castellazzi were also early star of the club, but Fossati played before them and earned a spot through his historical role.
-- Sandro Mazzola was a part of Inter Milan's "La Grande Inter". He was one of Inter Milan's greatest footballers.
-- Brazilian Jair was on my Inter Milan All-Time team. To fill his position on my Inter Milan All-Italian team, I took Angelo Domenghini who also shared the same spot with Jair as teammates on "La Grande Inter". Gino Armano only made honorable mentions. On the left, Mario Corso must be included since he was a big part of la Grande Inter.
Forwards
-- San Siro is actually named the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium. If Inter Milan's stadium is named after Giuseppe Meazza, he must be on this team. He is still Inter Milan's all-time leading scorer. -- Alessandro Altobelli and Roberto Boninsegna were locks on the team for the forward position. They were the second and third All-Time leading scorers for Inter Milan. So I had to cut Benito Lorenzi.
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| Alessandro Altobelli |
-- Christian Vieri has played about 13 clubs in his career. He seldom stayed long in a club. For Inter Milan, he scored 103 goals in 143 Serie A matches with Inter. He won Serie A Italian Footballer of the Year in 2002.
-- Lennart Skoglund and Istvan Nyers formed a famous deadly trio with Benito Lorenzi in the 1950's.
-- Antonio Angelillo might have played for Italy, but I considered him to be an Argentine. He was known for being a member of Argentina's "The Angels with Dirty Faces".
-- Cevenini was a dominant striker in the early days of the sport, scoring 156 times in 190 matches for Inter.
Formation
