Legends of the San Siro: The five greatest names to have played for both Inter and AC Milan

This weekend will see one the world's greatest derbies take place when Inter Milan host AC Milan in the Derby della Madonnina - and you can catch all the action live on DAZN. 

The Serie A giants are two of the biggest names in European football and games between the pair are among the most anticipated fixtures of the season, with this year no different, with both involved in the title race at the top of the Serie A table. 

Over the years, some of the game's greatest names have played in Milan, with 37 players having turned out for both clubs during their careers. 

DAZN News picks out five of the most legendary players who have graced the San Siro in both Milan teams' colours. 


 

Roberto Baggio (AC Milan 1995-97, Inter 1998-00) 

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One of the most technically gifted players of his generation and Italy's biggest name of the era, both sides of Milan were lucky enough to see 'The Divine Ponytail' grace their team. 

Baggio moved to Milan in 1995 after he was seen as surplus to requirements at Juventus following the emergence of Alessandro Del Piero, but he showed at the San Siro he was still one of Serie A's standout stars. He helped the Rossoneri win the league title in his first season, as he racked up the most assists in the whole league and was named the club's Player of the Year. 

Unfortunately, he fell out of favour in his second season under a series of managers and left in 1997 to join Bologna. Yet, he returned to Milan after the 1998 World Cup and played at Inter for two seasons, and although he was used mainly as a bit-part player as injuries took their toll, he did leave his mark at the club, most notably with a memorable brace against Real Madrid in the Champions League. 

Ronaldo (Inter 1997-02, AC Milan 2007-08) 

The original Ronaldo, or el fenomeno as he's commonly referred to, is seen as one of the greatest strikers to ever play the game. Indeed, if injuries hadn't blighted his peak, he'd be talked about in the same breath as the all-time greats. 

He moved to Inter in 1997, as the Italian's took advantage of his contract issues with Barcelona and paid the world-record fee buyout of $27 million to bring him to the San Siro. The fee was worth every penny, as he scored 25 goals in his first season with the club, winning the FIFA World Player of the Year for the second time, and collecting the Ballon d'Or. He also scored one of the all-time great Inter goals in the UEFA Cup final to help the club triumph in Europe. 

Then injury hit during his final three seasons, where knee issues robbed him of an entire campaign, and he left the club for Real Madrid in 2002. 

The Brazilian did return to Milan six years later, but with more injury issues, he wasn't the same player and managed just nine goals in twenty games for the Rossoneri. 

Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Inter 2006-09, AC Milan 2010-12 and 2020-23)

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Among the many clubs of Sweden's greatest-ever player are both Milan sides, where Ibrahimovic enjoyed great success. 

He first moved to Inter in 2006, and in three seasons with the club, he won the Serie A title in each of them, scoring 66 times for the club and winning the Capocannoniere in 2008. 

After a season in Spain with Barcelona, where he clashed with Pep Guardiola, the Swede returned to Milan but this time for the Rossoneri, where he'd score against his old club in the derby and help them win the Serie A title in 2011. 

Moves to France, England and the US followed before Ibrahimovic returned to AC Milan in 2020 and took on an elder statesman role in the young team that would win Serie A. After retiring in 2023, he has remained with the club in an advisory role. 

Clarance Seedorf (Inter 2000-02, AC Milan 2002-12) 

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Already a Champions League winner with two different clubs when he signed for Inter in 2000, Seedorf is seen as one of the era's most complete midfielders. 

In his two seasons with the club, he helped them to a Coppa Italia final and is fondly remembered by fans for two long-range efforts against Juventus during his time with the Nerazzurri. 

However, it was when the Dutchman made the direct move to AC as part of the deal that took  Francesco Coco the other way that he really made his mark in the city. 

Seedorf would spend a decade with the Rossoneri, becoming the first player to win the Champions League with three different clubs and won two Serie A titles before winding down his career in Brazil. 

Andrea Pirlo (Inter 1998-01, AC Milan 2001-11)

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Italy's maestro in the middle, who shone in the Azzuri's 2006 World Cup win, strutted his elegant stuff across the San Siro for both Milan clubs during his career. 

Spotted by Inter at Brescia as a teenager, he was signed in 1998, but was never able to hold down a regular starting berth for the club, making only 40 appearances. 

He was sold to their rivals in 2001, and it was with the Rossoneri that Pirlo became a world-class star. Winning two Serie A titles and the Champions League twice in a glorious decade with the club. 

After playing over 400 games for AC Milan, he moved to Juventus before finishing his career in the States. 

How to watch Serie A on DAZN? 

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If you do not have the App already then just follow these instructions....

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