Best 15Italyof the 2010s

Italy's captain and world-class goalkeeper across both tournaments, remaining the defining Italian player of the decade despite missing most of the 2010 World Cup through injury.

Elite deep-lying playmaker and Italy's creative reference point; his passing, control and set pieces remained world-class throughout the early 2010s.

Italy's dominant defender of the decade, renowned for elite marking, aggression, anticipation and leadership at two World Cups.

A complete and tactically intelligent midfielder who combined ball progression, long-range shooting, defensive work and leadership in both tournaments.

A premier ball-playing centre-back whose distribution and tactical intelligence made him central to Italy's defensive build-up during the decade.

A refined two-way midfielder with intelligent movement, technique and goal threat who played at both World Cups and scored against England in 2014.

An exceptionally reliable positional defender who entered the 2014 World Cup as a key member of Italy and Juventus's celebrated defensive unit.

One of Italy's most technically gifted midfielders of the decade, offering press resistance, close control and incisive passing at the 2014 tournament.

One of Serie A's most prolific forwards of the decade, bringing sharp movement, clinical finishing and versatility to Italy's 2010 squad.

A highly creative second striker whose vision, flair and combination play made him an important attacking figure for Italy in the early 2010s.

Italy's leading striker entering 2014 and a uniquely powerful, technically gifted forward who scored the winning goal against England.

A gifted wide forward who made Italy's 2014 squad early in his development and subsequently became one of the country's leading attackers of the decade.

A composed and tactically sophisticated holding midfielder valued for positional discipline, ball retention and control of match tempo.

A dynamic and technically accomplished wide midfielder who was one of Italy's most effective creators during the 2014 World Cup.

Although past his peak by 2010, the experienced full-back remained a starter and captaincy option, offering versatility and two-way reliability.