Serie A is one of the best leagues in the world, and when it comes to the giants of Italian football, AC Milan is one of the biggest clubs. In fact, rossoneres are probably the most famous Italian club in the world, thanks to their achievements on the European continent, as well as the selection of world-class players who are characterized by their iconic red and black stripes. Keep in mind that only Real Madrid (14) have won more Champions Leagues than Milan (7). The Rossoneri's success has been built not only on sensational signings but also on a strong academy, and over the years the club has produced several great players, including Franco Baresi and Paul Maldini. Let's take a look at the outstanding players from ac Milan academy.
Franco Baresi
One of the greatest defenders of all time, Baresi was a legend in European football in the 80s and 90s. Baresi is a true player of the one-team team who has injected life into Milan throughout his career. Interestingly, he joined the Rossoneri after being rejected by rivals inter Milan. Baresi joined Milan's youth academy in 1972 at the age of 12 and made his first appearance in the first team at the age of 17. He played for Milan for 20 years, making 719 appearances in all competitions. The elegant centre-back helped Milan win six Serie A titles, two Serie B titles and three Champions League titles.
Paul Maldini
There is no greater legend than Paul Maldini. Throughout his long career, he has been the cornerstone of the defence of AC Milan and the Italian national team, leading them with a flamboyant posture and superb skill. He was also an iconic figure in the life team, spending 25 years of his career at the club. He made 902 appearances for Milan, a club record. He also played 126 games for Italy. Often considered the greatest left-back in the sport, Maldini is an equally impressive centre-back whose role he transitioned to later in his career. He helped Milan win seven Serie A titles and five Champions League titles.
Sandro Salvador
Sandro Salvador is a Juventus legend, but he is a product of the AC Milan youth team. The centre-back was selected for the Milan youth squad before his debut in 1958. Before moving to Turin, he spent four years in Milan. He spent the remainder of his career at Juventus (1962-74), representing Italy in two World Cups. However, Salvador was a member of Milan, who won serie A titles in 1959 and 1962.
Francesco Tordo
Francisco Tordo spent three years with the Milan youth team but never played a game for the first team. The goalkeeper later started a successful career at Fiorentina before joining Inter Milan. Tordo is considered one of the best goalkeepers in modern Italy and won the Serie A Best Goalkeeper Award in 2000. He also made 28 appearances for Italy, was a member of Inter Milan (although he was the second goalkeeper) and won five consecutive league titles between 2005 and 2010.
Alberico Evani
Alberico Evani is a skilled and dynamic midfielder who was promoted at the Milan Academy and spent 13 years at the club. He made his debut at the age of 18 and made about 390 appearances in all competitions. During his time with the Rossoneri, he won three Serie A titles and two Champions League titles. Evani also went on to play for Sampdoria, Regiana and Caráres. He also made 15 appearances for Italy, representing Italy at the 1994 World Cup.
Alessandro CostaCuta
Another of Milan's greatest defenders, Alessandro Costacuta from 1986 to 2007. Along with Mauro Tassotti, Baresi and Maldini, he is one of the club's most famous defenders. CostaCuta spent about seven years at the Milan academy and spent most of his career representing his old club, except for a period of time on loan at Monza early in his career. Although the fame of Maldini and Baresi sometimes eclipses Costa Kuta, Costa Kuta is equally important to Milan and Italy. He is technically well-rounded, can play any position on the defensive line, and works hard. CostaCuta has won seven Serie A titles and five Champions League titles.
Pesoto
Gianluca Pesotto is an all-around defender who can also play as a midfielder, best known for winning several trophies with the old woman while at Juventus, including Serie A and the Champions League. However, Pesotho was a product of ac Milan Youth Academy, although he never made a appearance for Milan, being sold to Varese at the age of 19. After playing for several clubs including Turin, Pesotho joined Juventus in 1995 and had a successful career with The Old Woman and Italy, making 22 appearances for the Italian national team.
Donalumma
Donalumma is arguably the best talent in the Milan academy in recent years. The tall goalkeeper joined the club in 2013 and his extraordinary talent is immediately visible to everyone. In fact, Donalumma made his first appearance for the first team in 2015 at the age of 16. In doing so, he became the second youngest starting goalkeeper in the history of Italian football. At the age of 17, Donnarumma became the youngest goalkeeper ever recorded by the Italian national team. Donnarumma spent six years in the Milan first team before leaving in 2021 after his contract expired to join Paris Saint-Germain F.C. By then, he had become one of the best goalkeepers in the world, playing a key role in Italy's euro 2020 win, where he won the honour of tournament MVP.
Odo
Although Massimo Odore is a product of Milan's youth team, the right-back did not play for his old club until late in his career. Prior to joining Napoli in 1999, he was loaned to a number of clubs for the first six years of his reign with the Rossoneri. Before returning to Milan in 2007, he had success with Lazio. The defender had a successful second experience in San Siro, winning Serie A and the Champions League. Otto also made 34 appearances for Italy and was part of the team that won the 2006 World Cup.
Abate
An enterprising defender, Abate joined the Milan youth team in 1999 but did not make his debut for Milan until 2009. The Rossoneri initially loaned him to several clubs from 2004 to 2007 and then sold him to Empoli and Turin under a co-ownership agreement. In 2009, Milan bought back Abate completely. Subsequently, he spent 10 years at the club and retired in 2019. Abate made more than 300 appearances during this time, winning the league title in the process. He also played 22 games for Italy and was part of the team in the 2012 Euro 2012 final.
Aldo-Mardella
Aldo Mardella is a very popular figure among Milan fans. The hard-working defender is much loved for his strong left foot and galloping from the flanks. Maldela began his career at Milan in 1971 before moving to Bologna. However, he soon returned to San Siro, where he would spend the next nine years, during which time he won two Coppa Italia titles and one league title. Mardela also played for Roma and Fiorentina, and he also played 10 games for Italy.
Aubameyang
Aubameyang is another AC Milan youth player who has never played for his old club. However, the striker eventually became a world-class striker. Aubameyang joined the Milan youth team in 2007, but after being loaned to Dijon, Lille and Monaco, he was sold to Saint-Etienne in 2011. The Gabon international became a Ligue 1 star and signed with Borussia Dortmund in 2013. He then moved to Arsenal in 2018, eventually winning the Premier League Golden Boot in 2018-19. He currently plays for Barcelona.
Filippo Galli
Filippo Galli is an excellent defender who spent a long time at Milan after graduating from the youth team. From 1982 to 1996, Galli spent 14 years of his career at Milan, including a loan spell in Pescara. Galli was part of the Milanese dynasty under the legends Arigo Sacchi and Fabio Capello. Milan had world-class defenders at the time, which overshadowed him, but he did contribute to Milan's success when needed. Galli has won five Serie A titles and three Champions League titles for Milan.
Mateo Damian
Mateo Dalmian currently plays for Inter Milan and was once a highly regarded rising star for the AC Milan youth team. The all-around defender was signed by Milan at the age of 11 and made his debut in the 2006 Coppa Italia at the age of 16. However, Dalmien, who made 36 appearances for the Italian national team, moved to Palermo in 2010 after making only seven appearances for Milan. He then played for teams such as Torino, Manchester United and Parma.
Albertini
After spending most of his youth career at Milan, Albertini made his debut for the club at the age of 17 in the 1988–89 season. He spent 14 years in San Siro with great success, becoming one of the best midfielders of his time. He helped Milan win five Serie A titles and three Champions League trophies before travelling to Atletico Madrid, Lazio, Atlanta and Barcelona. Albertini is also a regular for the Italian national team, making 79 appearances for the national team during his illustrious career.
Brian Christant
As a technical midfielder, Brian Cristante has been an integral part of the Roma squad over the years. But he is also a product of Milan's youth training. In December 2011, at the age of 16, he made his debut for the Rossoneri. However, in 2014, he was unable to remain at the club. Before establishing himself at Roma, he played for teams such as Benfica and Atalanta. The 27-year-old midfielder also made 27 appearances for Italy.
Desilio
De Silio is another excellent defender who has stood out from Milan's academy. The Italy international, who currently plays for Juventus, has been in San Siro for a long time. He joined the club in 2002 at the age of 10 and made his first-team debut in 2011, quickly becoming a key member of the team. Prior to joining Juventus in 2017, he made 133 appearances for Milan.
Manuel Locatelli
Manuel Locatelli was one of Italy's Euro 2020 heroes and his career at AC Milan began as a rising star. The midfielder spent about 7 years in the academy, making his debut in 2016 at the age of 18. The following season, Locatelli helped the team to a dramatic victory in a 4-3 win over Sassuolo, which heralded several of his subsequent brilliant performances and won him acclaim. However, he was unable to build on those foundations and Milan eventually sold him to Sassuolo in 2019. After an excellent European Championship, Juventus went on loan in the summer of 2021 with a buyout clause. Only 24 years old, Locateli made 24 appearances for the Italian national team.
Calabria
Another excellent right-back, Calabria, has been at Milan since 2006. The 25-year-old is currently one of the club's mainstays, helping the team reclaim the league title in 2021-22 after a long 11 years. Calabria can also play as a defensive midfielder, making his first appearance in the first team in 2015 and gradually becoming an integral part of the squad.