AIC Serie A Footballer of the Year Award Winners. Serie A has long been renowned as one of the most competitive leagues in world football. From the early 2000s, it featured world-class talent that entertained fans with their dazzling displays. Here are the players who stood out as the MVP award winners during this period:
2022: Rafael Leão, AC Milan
Portuguese winger Rafael Leão was a standout performer as AC Milan won their first Scudetto in over a decade. Leão scored 11 goals and provided 10 assists across all competitions for Milan in the 2021-22 season. His driving runs from out wide were a key part of Milan’s attacking play, terrorizing defences with his pace, trickery and ability to play in tight spaces. Leão’s work rate and pressing from the front allowed Milan to win back possession high up the pitch. At just 23 years old, Leão has already established himself as one of the best attackers in Serie A. His performances helped propel Milan to the title and cemented his status as one of Europe’s most exciting young talents. Leão will be vital to Milan’s hopes of defending their Scudetto in the 2022-23 campaign.
2021: Romelu Lukaku, Inter Milan
Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku was in unstoppable form as he fired Inter Milan to their first league title in over a decade. In the 2020-21 season, Lukaku scored 24 goals and provided 11 assists across Serie A and the Coppa Italia. His hold-up play, physicality and clinical finishing were on full display throughout the campaign. Lukaku proved the perfect target man as Inter adopted a powerful counter-attacking style under Antonio Conte. He formed a lethal partnership with Lautaro Martinez, with the duo scoring nearly half of Inter’s league goals between them. At just 27 years old during the 2020-21 season, Lukaku cemented his status as one of the world’s best strikers with his performances. His contributions were crucial in Inter’s first Scudetto since 2009-10. Lukaku thoroughly deserved this individual recognition.
2020: Cristiano Ronaldo, Juventus
In his second season with Juventus, Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo once again showed his enduring quality and goalscoring prowess. The 2019-20 campaign saw Ronaldo score 31 goals in 33 appearances across all competitions for the Bianconeri. His goals fired Juventus to their ninth consecutive Serie A title and helped overcome several injury absences for key teammates. At 35 years old, Ronaldo proved age is just a number with match-winning displays throughout the season. His world-class finishing and ability to perform in big games were on full display. It was a demonstration of Ronaldo’s unparalleled consistency that earned him this award at an advanced stage of his illustrious career.
2019: Cristiano Ronaldo, Juventus
In his debut season with Juventus after moving from Real Madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo shone immediately. The 2018-19 campaign saw the Portuguese superstar score 21 goals in 31 Serie A appearances to help fire the Bianconeri to yet another Scudetto. Crucially, several of Ronaldo’s goals were match-winners, underlining his big-game mentality. At 34 years old, Ronaldo proved he could seamlessly transition his goalscoring prowess to a new league. His professionalism, work ethic and killer instinct in front of goal were in full effect. It was a remarkable individual season that saw Ronaldo claim this award in his first year in Italy. His contributions were invaluable as Juventus dominated the league once more.
2018: Mauro Icardi, Inter Milan
Argentine striker Mauro Icardi enjoyed the finest season of his career in 2017-18 as he fired Inter Milan to a fourth-place finish in Serie A. Icardi scored 29 goals in 34 league appearances, finishing as the top scorer in Italy by some distance. His predatory finishing and ability to score all types of goals were pivotal to Inter’s success. Icardi formed a strong partnership with fellow countryman Lautaro Martinez. At just 25 years old, Icardi was entering his prime and demonstrated his world-class talents. His goals that season cemented his status as one of Europe’s most lethal marksmen. Icardi was a deserving winner of this prestigious individual prize.
2017: Gianluigi Buffon, Juventus
At the age of 39, legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon put in one of the performances of his career to claim this individual prize. In the 2016-17 season, Buffon helped Juventus concede a mere 28 goals all season as they romped to yet another Scudetto title. His shot-stopping, command of the box and leadership at the back were as impressive as ever. It was a testament to Buffon’s unparalleled longevity and consistency between the posts that he could win this award so late into an iconic career. This recognition underlined why he remains revered as one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time by fans across the world. Buffon’s performances were crucial to Juventus’ domestic dominance.
2016: Gonzalo Higuaín, Napoli
Argentine striker Gonzalo Higuaín enjoyed his finest individual season in 2015-16, scoring an incredible 36 goals in 35 Serie A appearances to break the single-season goalscoring record. His prolific form fired Napoli to a second-place finish in the league table. Higuaín’s clinical finishing and ability to score all types of goals were on full display throughout the campaign. At just 28 years old, Higuaín was at the peak of his powers, demonstrating his world-class talents. His extraordinary goalscoring exploits that season were rightly recognized with this prestigious award. Higuaín’s goals propelled Napoli’s scintillating title challenge and confirmed his status as one of the best strikers in Europe.
2015: Miralem Pjanić, Roma
In the 2014-15 season, Bosnian midfielder Miralem Pjanić enjoyed his best individual campaign as he orchestrated Roma’s attacking play with his vision, passing and dead-ball ability. Pjanić scored 9 goals and provided 13 assists across all competitions, playing a pivotal creative role. At just 25 years old, Pjanić was emerging as a world-class talent after joining Roma from Lyon. His playmaking skills and ability to dictate tempo were fundamental to Roma’s third-place league finish. Pjanić fully deserved this recognition of his talents with a stellar individual season for his club. He was developing into one of Serie A’s most complete midfield operators.
2014: Diego Milito, Inter Milan
Argentine striker Diego Milito enjoyed a late-career renaissance in the 2013-14 season, scoring 21 goals to lead Inter Milan to fourth place in Serie A. Milito’s poacher’s instincts and clinical finishing were on full display as he proved crucial to the Nerazzurri’s attack. At 36 years old, Milito defied his age to produce one of his finest individual campaigns. His goals that season helped Inter qualify for the Champions League. It was a testament to Milito’s longevity and consistency in front of goal that he could claim this prestigious award at such an advanced stage of his career. Milito was a deserving winner for his contributions.
2013: Edinson Cavani, Napoli
Uruguayan striker Edinson Cavani enjoyed his most prolific season for Napoli in 2012-13, scoring a remarkable 29 league goals as part of a 38-goal haul across all competitions. Cavani’s predatory finishing, hold-up play and work rate were pivotal to Napoli’s third-place finish. At just 26 years old, Cavani was entering his prime and demonstrated his world-class talents. His goalscoring exploits that season broke numerous club records. Cavani fully deserved this recognition as one of Europe’s most in-form strikers. His contributions were invaluable as Napoli cemented their status as Serie A title challengers.
2012: Andrea Pirlo, Juventus
Andrea Pirlo enjoyed a stellar debut campaign with Juventus after moving from Milan in 2011, orchestrating the Bianconeri’s midfield with his vision, passing and dead-ball ability. In the 2011-12 season, Pirlo provided 14 assists from midfield as Juventus romped to the Scudetto title. At 33 years old, Pirlo was emerging as the complete deep-lying playmaker. His technical quality, composure on the ball and ability to dictate tempo were fundamental to Juventus’ success. Pirlo fully deserved this recognition as one of Serie A’s best performers. He was instrumental in Juventus’ resurgence as the dominant force in Italian football.
2011: Gianluigi Buffon, Juventus
Gianluigi Buffon once again underlined his status as the world’s best goalkeeper with a stellar 2010-11 campaign for Juventus. Buffon helped the Bianconeri concede just 20 league goals all season as they finished as runners-up. At 33 years old, Buffon was at the peak of his powers, demonstrating world-class shot-stopping and command of his box. His leadership and consistency were pivotal to Juventus’ success. It was fitting recognition for one of the finest goalkeepers of all time. Buffon showed why he remains a pillar of strength for club and country with another exceptional individual season.
2010: Antonio Di Natale, Udinese
At age 32, Antonio Di Natale enjoyed the finest season of his career, scoring 29 goals to claim the Capocannoniere as Udinese finished fifth. His poacher’s instincts and clinical finishing powered Udinese’s attack.
2009: Zlatan Ibrahimović, Inter Milan
Towering Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimović scored 25 goals as Inter won an historic treble under Jose Mourinho. His world-class talents terrorized defenses.
2008: Diego Milito, Genoa
Argentine striker Diego Milito scored 24 goals for Genoa as they achieved a first ever UEFA Cup qualification. His goals and leadership led their surprise success.
2007: Francesco Totti, Roma
Roma icon Francesco Totti starred at age 30, scoring 16 goals from midfield as Roma won Serie A to end their 18-year title drought. His captain’s performance was crucial.
2006: Luca Toni, Fiorentina
Luca Toni had a sensational season aged 28, banging in 31 goals to claim the Capocannoniere and lead Fiorentina to the UEFA Cup. His goalscoring carried their attack.
2005: Andriy Shevchenko, Milan
Ukrainian striker Andriy Shevchenko scored 24 goals including a Champions League final brace as Milan won the title and reached the UCL final. The complete forward was at his peak.
2004: Adrian Mutu, Fiorentina
At just 23, Romanian Adrian Mutu was Serie A’s breakout star with 21 goals for Fiorentina as they qualified for Europe. His dribbling and finishing thrilled fans.
2003: David Trezeguet, Juventus
Frenchman David Trezeguet scored 24 league goals including several crucial winners as Juventus retained their Serie A title. His poacher’s instincts in the box proved decisive.
From young breakout stars to veterans continuing their prime, they led their teams with brilliant goals and all-round play. While some clubs like Juventus and Inter dominated trophies, the best performers each year were rightly recognized regardless of team size. Their contributions ensured Serie A remained among the most exciting leagues globally.
