bianconerizoneLEGEND OR NOT?
Legend Or Not? Juventus has a rich history of success that has come through exceptional ownership, capable management, and world-class players. Many players have come and left Juventus over the years and today, we are trying to decipher which players can be classified as legends for the club, or not. We will not be including every single ‘obvious’ legend. Obvious Legends, Alessandro Del Piero, Gianluigi Buffon, Giorgio Chiellini, Pavel Nedved, Claudio Marchisio, Zinedine Zidane, Leonardo Bonucci.
The players listed will have 3 accolades listed ‘proving’ or ‘disproving’ their potential legendary status along with counting stats.
The '80s
Zbigniew Boniek (MID) 1982-1985
Apps 133 Goals 31
1. 1985 Champions League (European Cup)
2. 1984 Serie A
3. 1984 European Cup Winners Cup match winning goal
Legend? On paper and on-pitch performances, the three seasons say he should be classified a legend. However, off the pitch, he has been a nightmare after countless remarks about Juve’s involvement in Calciopoli. Not a legend.
Michel Platini (MID) 1982-1987
Apps 222 Goals 103
1. 1985 Champions League (European Cup)
2. 3 Ballon D’ors 1983-1985
3. 3 Capocannoniere 1983-1985
Legend? Obviously Yes, lol. The team success and individual success speak for themselves.
Michael Laudrup MID 1985-1989
Apps 152 Goals 36
1. 1986 Serie A
2. 1985 Continental Cup
3. Scored in the 1985 Continental Cup
Legend? With Juve, I would say no. Counting stats and on-pitch performance were not always on par with what he produced at other clubs and his national team.
Paolo Rossi (ST) 1973-1975/1981-1985
Apps 138 Goals 44
1. 1982, 1984 Serie A
2. 1985 Champions League (European Cup)
3. 1982 Ballon D’or
Legend? Although the goal tally wasn’t that impressive with Juventus, he did help deliver a First ever champions league and while a part of Juventus, led Italy to 1982 glory. I say, yes.
The '90s
Roberto Baggio ST 1990-1995
Apps 200 Goals 115 Assists 17
1. 1995 Serie A
2. 1993 UEFA Cup
3. 1993 Ballon D’or/FIFA World Player of the Year
Legend? Not much team success came with Baggio on Juventus. His ability and talent are undeniable. He was quality on the pitch and was the best player in the world at one point. Absolute legend.
Didier Deschamps (DEF MID) 1994-1999
Apps 173 Goals 4 Assists 2
1. 1995, 1997, 1998 Serie A
2. 1996 Champions League Winner, 1997, 1998 Champions League Runner Up
3. Came back to coach us to a 2007 Serie B title
Legend? Absolutely. He was a lynchpin to Juventus’ world-class midfield during the mid to late ’90s. He also returned to manage the squad back to Serie A after Calciopoli.
Fabrizio Ravanelli (ST) 1992-1996
Apps 159 Goals 69 Assists 6
1. 1996 Champions League
2. 1995 Serie A
3. Scored in the 1996 Champions League Final and in the 1993 UEFA Cup
Legend? Forming an amazing strike partnership with Del Piero and Vialli among others, Ravanelli scored his fair share of goals. He scored some clutch goals in Juve’s history and averaged almost 0.5 a goal contribution per game. I would call him an almost legend. I wish he stayed a bit longer to cement his place.
Angelo Peruzzi (GK) 1991-1999
Apps 301
1. 1995, 1997, 1998 Serie A
2. 1996 Champions League
3. 1997, 1998 Serie A Goalkeeper of the year
Legend? Longevity, yes. Team Success, yes. Individual success, yes. Pretty obvious Juventus legend to me.
The '00s
David Trezeguet (ST) 2000-2010
Apps 320 Goals 171 Assists 25
1. 2002, 2003 Serie A
2. 2002 Serie A top scorer, foreign footballer of the year, and footballer of the year
3. One of the ‘Super 6’ to stay with Juve in Serie B
Legend? Averaged 17 goals per season. Excelled in strong teams. He was extremely talented and played as an excellent ‘Robin’ to Del Piero’s ‘Batman’. Not quite a legend, but a very good Juventus player.
Mauro German Camoranesi (RM) 2002-2010
Apps 288 Goals 32 Assists 48
1. 2003 Serie A
2. One of the ‘Super 6’ to stay with Juve in Serie B
3. 2003 Champions League Runner Up
Legend? He was an elegant footballer on the right side of the pitch and has longevity as a Juve player. However, I don’t see him as a Juve legend.
Antonio Conte (MID) 1991-2004 (included due to departure date)
Apps 420 Goals 44 Assists 6
1. 1995, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2003 Serie A
2. 1996 Champions League
3. 2011-2014 Managed Juventus to 3 straight Serie A titles and brought Juventus back to domestic dominance
Legend? As a player absolutely. However, the way he left (always leaves his clubs, while coaching) is petty and immature. He also took on the Inter job and flashed inappropriate hand gestures at his former employers which were disappointing. In total, no, his legendary status is revoked.
Edgar Davids DEF (MID) 1997-2004
Apps 235 Goals 10 Assists 11
1. 1998, 2002, 2003 Serie A
2. 2003 Champions League Runner Up - incredible European campaign
3. 2002, 2003 SuperCoppa Italiana
Legend? He is on the cusp for me. Team success is kind of there and his individual performance was immense but individual awards never came his way while at the club.