AC Milan's 2002-03 Champions League Winning Squad: Where are they now?

28th May 2003: Old Trafford, Manchester, England

Juventus 0 - 0 AC Milan (2-3)

AC Milan returned to their title of Europe's best club after beating fellow Italian rivals, Juventus in the first all Italian final in Champions League history. A nerving penalty shootout in Manchester, AC Milan were the better side and won the 6th European Cup title and their first since 1994. So, where are the AC Milan squad that lead the Italian side to their 2003 success.

1) Paolo Maldini (#3)

Maldini is regarded as not only one of the best left backs of his generations, but one of the best players in Italian football. Maldini captained his side to victory in Manchester and won man of the match, and since that, he captained his boyhood club to another Serie A title the following season, as well as 1 Coppa Italia, 1 Supercoppa Italiana, 1 UEFA Super Cup, 1 Club World Cup and another Champions League title in 2007. In 2009, he announced his retirement from football with Milan, becoming one of not many players to play for 1 club within their entire career. Internationally, he represented Italy in four different World Cups between 1990 and 2002, making over 100 appearances for the Azzurri. He made his retirement from the national team after Italy's shocking elimination in the Round of 16 in the 2002 World Cup to co-hosts, South Korea. In 2018, he made his sensational return to AC Milan as their development director alongside fellow colleague, Leonardo Araujo. He was then promoted to technical director and helped Milan win the 2021-22 Serie A, their first title in 11 years. He then got sacked in June 2023.

2) Kakha Kalazde (#4)

Kalazde is one of the most versatile players in AC Milan, who was capable of filling out as both a center-back and a left-back. He started the match in Manchester as a center back and was one of two players who missed a penalty in the penalty shootout. Following the final in Manchester, he spent the next seven years in Milan, winning 1 Serie A title, 1 Supercoppa Italia, 2 UEFA Super Cup, 1 Club World Cup and another Champions League in 2007. He then made a move across the country in 2010 to Genoa, where he played for two seasons before announcing his retirement in May 2012. Internationally, his only goal for Georgia came in a 3-1 friendly defeat to Latvia. He is currently the Mayor of the Georgian capital, Tbilisi.

3) Andriy Shevchenko (#7)

Shevchenko was a master-class of a player for AC Milan and his performances were absolutely incredible. His contributions in the Manchester final included scoring the winning penalty to ensure the Champions League returning to Milan. Since the Champions League final, Shevchenko won Serie A and the Supercoppa Italia in 2004, the UEFA Super Cup in 2003 and was a runner-up in the Champions League final to Liverpool. His greatest achievement was winning the Ballon D'or in 2004, becoming the first and by far the only Ukrainian footballer to win the award. He then made a move to England to play for Chelsea in 2006, however, couldn't match his performances with Milan to his time in Chelsea. During his time with Chelsea, Shevchenko won the League Cup, the FA Cup and was a runner-up in the 2007-08 Champions League, falling short to fellow English side, Manchester United. He then returned to Milan on loan for the 2008-09 season but couldn't play like how he used to. He then permanently left Chelsea in 2009 and rejoined former club, Dynamo Kyiv. He spent the next three season in Kiev before announcing his retirement in 2012. Internationally, he captained his country to a historic quarter-final finish in the 2006 World Cup, before losing to eventual winners, Italy. Following his retirement, he coached the Ukrainian national team between 2016 and 2021, coaching them to a quarter-final finish in EURO 2020. He then left the Ukraine team after their elimination, and a few months later, Shevchenko was appointed by Italian club, Genoa. However, a poor run of performances lead to his sacking in January 2022.

4) Gennaro Gattuso (#8)

Gattuso was one of the most important players for AC Milan. He started the match in Manchester but didn't take part in the shootout. Following the final in England, Gattuso became a club legend in Milan, winning two more Serie A titles, 2 Supercoppa Italianas, 2 UEFA Super Cups, 1 Club World Cup and another Champions League in 2007. He then left Italy in 2012, and joined Swiss side, Sion, where he became a player-manager for the team. He then retired from football in 2013 and became the manager of Sion. Internationally, Gattuso was in Italy's World Cup winning squad in their victory in 2006. He was the manager of AC Milan, Napoli and Valencia previously, and currently manages French giants, Olympique Marseille.

5) Filippo Inzaghi (#9)

Inzaghi was one of Milan's most important players of the 2002-03 season, and because of this, he started the match in Manchester. After the final in England, Inzaghi spent nine more years with Milan, winning 2 Serie A titles, 2 Club World Cups, 1 UEFA Super Cup and another Champions League title in 2007. He went on to become a club legend, becoming Milan's top goal-scorer in Champions League history. After many successive seasons with Milan, he retired at the end of the 2011-12 season. Internationally, he was part of the Italian team that won the World Cup in 2006. His only goal of that tournament came in a 2-0 win to Czech Republic in the group phase. He then retired from the national team in 2007. He has managerial experience in Italy for Venezia, Brescia and Benevento. He is currently the manager of Serie A club, Salernitana.

6) Rui Costa (#10)

Costa is regarded as one of the best Portuguese players of his generation and was best known for his incredible style of play. He started the match in Manchester but didn't take part in the penalty shootout. Following the final, Costa spent the next three years in Milan, winning 1 Serie A title, 1 Supercoppa Italiana, 1 UEFA Super Cup, and made another Champions League final with Milan in 2005, only to fall short to Liverpool. In 2006, Costa left Milan and rejoined boyhood club, Benfica. For the next two seasons, Costa played with Benfica for the next two seasons before retiring in 2008. Internationally, he made over 90 appearances for Portugal and appeared for them in 3 European Championships, including being a runner-up in EURO 2004, and the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan. He is currently the president of Benfica.

7) Rivaldo (#11)

Rivaldo is regarded as one of the best Brazilian players of his generation and among one of the most skillful and creative ones as well. Unfortunately, due to drop in form, he was an unused substitute in the final in Milan. He then made a move back to Brazil in early 2004, to play for Cruzeiro. but left at the end of the 2003-04 season and made a return to Europe to play for Olympiacos, where he managed to regain his form and helped them to 3 consecutive Greek leagues in a row and 2 Greek Cups. He then decided to make a move to Athens to play for bitter rivals, AEK Athens. However, he couldn't his form in Olympiacos. He the spent 2 seasons with the Athens club before making a move to Uzbekistan to play for Bunyodkor, where he won another 3 league titles in a row and 2 Uzbek Cups. He then left in 2010 and returned to Brazil where he spent 5 years playing for Sao Paulo, Sao Caetano and Mogi Mirim including a spell with Angolan club, Kabuscorp. He then retired in 2015 before initially retiring in the year before. Internationally, he was part of the dangerous R3 trio which also consisted of other Brazilian legends, Ronaldo and Ronaldinho. He won the World Cup in 2002 after being a runner up in the previous tournament in 1998. He won a Confederations Cup in 1997 and the Copa America in 1999. He also won bronze in the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, USA.

8) Dida (#12)

Dida can often be regarded as one of the most elite and one-of-a-kind goalkeepers football and Milan have every seen. Dida started the match in Manchester and saved all three of Juventus's missed penalties in the shootout. Since the final in Manchester, Dida went on to be the first choice goalkeeper for Milan, winning 1 Serie A title, 1 Supercoppa Italiana, 1 Club World Cup, 2 UEFA Super Cups and another Champions League in 2007. After many successful years in Milan, Dida left the Italian side and in 2012, returned to football to play in Brazil. During his time in the South American country, Dida played with Portuguesa, Gremio and Internacional. He then announced his retirement in 2015, 3 years after returning to Brazil. Internationally, he appeared for Brazil in their 2002 World Cup win in South Korea and Japan. and their defeat in the 1998 final to hosts, France. He also won the Copa America in 1999 and 2 Confederations Cup titles in 1997 and 2005. He was recently the goalkeeper coach for AC Milan between 2020 and 2022.

9) Alessandro Nesta (#13)

Nesta can often be regarded as one of the best Italian defenders of his generation and of history. He started the match in Manchester and scored Milan's second penalty in the shootout. He spent nine more years with the Italian giants winning 2 Serie A titles, 2 Supercoppa Italianas, 2 UEFA Super Cups, 1 Club World Cup and 1 Champions League title, four years after the success in Manchester. In 2012, Nesta said goodbye to Milan and joined MLS side, Montreal Impact where he won the 2013 Canadian Championship. He then left Canada and joined Indian league side, Chennaiyin in 2014 and retired after 3 appearances for the Indian side. Internationally, he participated for Italy in 3 World Cups and 3 European Championships. He was part of the Italy team that won the 2006 World Cup in Germany. He is currently the manager of Serie B side, Reggiana.

10) Christian Abbiati (#18)

Abbiati was an unfortunate unused substitute in the final in Manchester. He then went on to appear for Milan until 2016, eventually becoming a club legend, winning 2 Serie A titles, 2 Supercoppa Italianas and 1 UEFA Super Cup. He also spent respective loan seasons with Juventus, Torino and Atletico Madrid between the 2005-06 season and the 2007-08 season. Internationally, he was called up to the Italian team that were runners-up in the 2000 European Championship.

11) Alessandro Costacurta (#19)

Costacurta was a starter in the final in Manchester but came off for Roque Junior in the 66th minute. He was the only Milan player to receive a yellow card in that match. He is one of only two players to win 5 Champions League titles with the same club (Milan), this achievement was also achieved by Paolo Maldini. He spent the next four years with Milan winning the Serie A in 2004, 1 Supercoppa Italiana and another Champions League title. He then retired at the end of the 2006-07 season after winning another European Cup and became Milan's technical assistant for the 2007-08 season. Internationally, he participated with Italy in 3 World Cups and 1 European Championship throughout his entire international career. He also was part of Italy's team who were runners-up in the 1994 World Cup. After one season as Milan's technical director, he was recruited as the manager of Mantova during the 2008-09 in Serie B.

12) Clarence Seedorf (#20)

Seedorf is best known for being one of the most influential, decorated and one of the best midfielders of his generation. He is one of very few players who won the Champions League with three different clubs, also with Ajax (1995) and Real Madrid (1998). He started the match in Manchester and was the first player to miss a penalty in the shootout. He then went on to play for Milan for the next nine seasons without a single loan, winning 2 Serie A titles, 1 Supercoppa Italiana, 2 UEFA Super Cup, 1 Club World Cup and another Champions League in 2007. He then made a move from Milan and joined Botafogo in Brazil, where he spent the next one and a half seasons at before announcing retirement in 2014. Internationally, he appeared for Netherlands in Euro 1996, 2000 and 2004, making the semi finals in two of those three tournaments. He also was part of the Dutch squad for the 2008 Euros but withdrew after hostilities with Marco Van Basten. He also appeared in the 1998 World Cup and helped Netherlands achieve fourth place in that tournament. He was appointed as AC Milan boss in January 2014 and ran as their coach until their sacking at the end of the season. He then was appointed by Chinese club, Shenzhen but after five months, he was replaced by Sven Goran Eriksson. He then was hired as Deportivo manager in La Liga for the rest of the season but got the team relegated that season itself. His final job to this day was being the Cameroonian national team manager in August 2018 but got sacked after a poor performance in the 2019 African Cup of Nations.

13) Andrea Pirlo (#21)

Pirlo was starting to turn himself into a world-class player for both club and country and is currently regarded as one of the best midfielders in the history of football. He started the match in Manchester and didn't take part in the penalty shootout. Following the final, Pirlo spent the next 8 seasons with Milan, winning 2 Serie A titles, 2 Super Cups, 1 Club World Cup and another Champions League title in 2007. He then left Milan in the summer of 2011 and joined bitter rivals and final runners-up, Juventus. During his four-year spell in Turin, Pirlo won 4 Serie A titles in a row, 1 Coppa Italia and 2 Supercoppa Italianas and made another Champions League in 2015, losing to Barcelona. He then made a move to the MLS to play for New York City until his retirement in 2017. Internationally, Pirlo represented Italy in 3 World Cup and 3 European Championship finals. He was an instrumental part of the Italian team that won the 2006 World Cup and even won the Bronze Ball in that same tournament. He also appeared for Italy in the 2012 EURO final, losing to Spain. He also won bronze in the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece and the 2013 Confederations Cup in Brazil. He retired in 2015 after a disappointing group-stage finish in the 2014 World Cup. In his career of a manager, he managed Juventus's U23 squad before being promoted as their first team coach winning the Coppa Italia and the Supercoppa Italiana. He then got sacked at the end of the 2020-21 season due to poor finishing in Serie A. He returned to being a manager in 2022 where he managed Turkish side, Faith Karagumruk for one season before his sacking in May 2023. He currently manages Sampdoria in Serie B.

14) Massimo Ambrosini (#23)

Ambrosini was an unused starter in the final in Manchester and came on as a substitute for Rui Costa in the 87th minute. He didn't take part in the penalty shootout though. Following the Manchester final, Ambrosini spent the next 10 years with the Rossoneri, winning 2 Serie A titles, 2 Supercoppa Italianas, 2 Super Cup, 1 Club World Cup and another Champions League title in 2007. He then made a move to Fiorentina in 2013 where he spent one season before announcing retirement in 2014. Internationally, Ambrosini appeared in 2 European Championships for Italy, making the final in 2000, yet he was never called up for the World Cup. He then retired from the national team in 2008.

15) Martin Laursen (#24)

Laursen was an an unused substitute in the final in Manchester due to the presence of Maldini and Nesta. Following the final in Manchester, Laursen spent one more season in Milan and won Serie A and the UEFA Super Cup in that season. He then made a move to England to play for Aston Villa. He spent 5 seasons in England and made over 80 appearances for the club before announcing retirement in 2009. Internationally, he was an exemplary player for Denmark, appearing for them in 2 European Championships and 1 World Cup. He was also Danish Player of the Year in 2008, his retirement year from the national team. His only time as a manager came from Danish side FC Sollerod-Vedbaek between 2011 and 2012.

16) Roque Junior (#25)

Roque was unused in the starting line-up for Milan's team but came on as a substitute in the 66th minute. He is one of very few players to win the Copa Libertadores, the Champions League and the World Cup. Following the final in Manchester, Junior spent the 2003-04 season on loan to Leeds United. However, he didn't live up to expectations in Elland Road and was loaned out to fellow Serie A and current Serie C side, AC Siena for the rest of the season. He left permanently from Milan in 2004 and joined German side, Bayer Leverkusen where he spent 3 seasons at before moving to Duisburg to play for one season. He then left Europe and joined Al-Rayyan in Qatar. In the same year as his transfer to Qatar, he was signed on loan by Brazilian giants, Palmeiras. He then left football and then returned in 2010 to play a few matches for Ituano in Brazil. He then retired that year. Internationally, Roque played for Brazil in 2 major tournaments and one was the 2002 World Cup in which he won. He retired from the national team in 2005 after he withdrew from the national squad for the 2006 World Cup due to injury. In his managerial career, Roque only managed two clubs in Brazil. They were XV de Piracicaba in 2015 and Ituano in 2017.

17) Serginho (#27)

Serginho was a good player for Milan and was best known for his energetic counter attacks. He came on as a substitute in the 71st minute and scored Milan's first penalty in the shootout. Serginho then spent the rest of his career with the Rossoneri. He won the Super Cup in 2003, Serie A and the Supercoppa Italiana in 2004, the Club World Cup in 2007. He also was part of the squad for Milan that won the 2007 Champions League. He then retired from football after the 2007-08 season. Internationally, Serginho represented Brazil in their second place 1999 Confederations Cup team and their Copa America winning squad that same year. He wasn’t part of Brazil’s 2002 winning squad due to a hamstring injury.

18) Cristian Brocchi (#32)

Brocchi was an unused substitute in the final for the whole game. Following the game in Manchester, Brocchi spent another 5 years with AC Milan and won 1 Serie A, 1 Supercoppa Italiana, 1 Super Cup and one Champions League in 2007. He although spent a loan season with Fiorentina for the 2005-06 season however, nothing came out of it. He then left Milan in 2008 and spent the last 5 seasons of his career with Lazio, where he won 2 Coppa Italias and another Supercoppa Italiana. He then retired at the end of the 2012-13 season. Internationally, Brocchi made only one appearance for Italy which was a 1-1 draw against Turkey in a friendly. Brocchi's first job as a manager came with Milan's youth academy in 2014 to 2016 when he became the first team coach for the remainder of the 2015-16. He then was by appointed manager for Serie B side, Brescia in 2016 but was removed from his duties in March 2017 following a flow of poor results. He then served as Fabio Capello's assistant manager in China as he managed Jiangsu Suning during the 2017 Chinese Super League. In 2018, Brocchi was hired by AC Monza and guided them to victory in Serie C in 2020. He left his role with Monza in 2021 by mutual consent. His last managerial job was with Vicenza between 2021 and 2022. He got sacked in 2022 after failing to save the club for relegation from Serie B.

19) Carlo Ancelotti (Manager)

Ancelotti is commonly regarded as one of the greatest managers in the world and the most decorated manager in Champions League winning the title four times. He stayed with Milan until 2009 and guided them to two Champions League finals in 2005 and 2007, winning the latter tournament. His other achievements with Milan included 1 Serie A, 1 Supercoppa Italiana, 2 Super Cups and 1 Club World Cup. He then left Milan and joined Chelsea on a two year contract. During his time at Stamford Bridge, Ancelotti won the Premier League, FA Cup and Community Shield all in his first season with the club. He then made a move France to play for Paris Saint Germain, where he won Ligue 1 in 2012-13 and managed David Beckham in his retirement year. He then left after one year and joined Spanish giants, Real Madrid. In his first season, Ancelotti managed Real to Copa Del Rey victory and European success in Lisbon after winning the European Cup for the third time as manager. He then left after the 2014-15 after one season without a job, Ancelotti was recruited by Bayern Munich. He guided them to Bundesliga success in 2017 and 2 DFL Supercup in 2016 and 2017. A poor run of performances in the start of the 2017-18 season lead to his sacking. He then returned to Italy to manage Napoli in 2018 and was dismissed in December 2019. He then returned to England to manage Everton. After an impressive start to the 2020-21 season, he left in June 2021 and rejoined Real Madrid. In his first season back with Los Blancos, he guided them to La Liga, Supercopa and Champions League success. The following season, he won Real the Super Cup, Club World Cup and the Copa Del Rey. He still currently manages with Real Madrid.

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