Greatest AS Roma Players Of All Time – Top 10 Legends
5. Paulo Roberto Falcão [1980-1985]
Falcao was described by Liedholm as “the greatest ‘regista’ (deep-lying playmaker) I’ve ever seen”. Falcao joined Roma in 1980 and had to win over doubting fans who knew little about him.
He soon showed himself to be possibly the most complete midfielder in world football during the early 1980s. Falcao was like a general on the field, brilliant tactically and technically, he was nicknamed the ‘Eighth King of Rome’. He won the Scudetto in 1983, while he also excelled for Brazil, playing in their legendary 1982 World Cup team.
4. Roberto Pruzzo [1978-1988]
A prolific goalscorer, who was renowned for his heading ability in the air, Pruzzo was one of the best Italian strikers of his generation, and he is regarded as one of the greatest AS Roma players of all time. He was known as a strong and hardworking centre-forward throughout his career, with good technique, and an eye for goal.
With Roma, he became famous as one of the most effective Italian strikers of the 1980s, winning one scudetto during the 1982–83 season, and four Italian Cups in 1980, 1981, 1983, and 1986.
He also won the Serie A top scorer award three times, in 1981, 1982, and 1986, as well as the Coppa Italia top scorer award in 1980. He also scored a goal in the 1984 European Cup Final, when Roma, playing at home, was beaten on penalties by Liverpool.
Pruzzo was inducted in AS Roma Hall of Fame in 2012.
3. Giuseppe Giannini [1981-1996]
Before Totti, Giannini was regarded was by supporters as the club symbol. Like Totti, this midfielder, turned down the big-money advances of the top teams to stay with his beloved hometown club. He spent the majority of his 16-year playing career with A.S. Roma.
Throughout his career, Giannini was often referred to as “Il Principe” (The Prince), due to his creative ability, elegance, technique, vision, and passing range, which made him an effective playmaker.
In addition to his technical ability and creativity, he was a mobile, versatile, and hard-working player, with notable stamina and tactical awareness, also possessing an accurate shot.
In 1996 Giannini left Roma to play in Austria for Sturm Graz, with whom he spent just half a season before returning to Italy due to homesickness. Before retiring in 1998 Giannini had brief spells with Napoli and Lecce. He was inducted in AS Roma Hall of Fame in 2013.