Milan

Nesta playing for Milan
Just before the 2002–03 Serie A campaign, financial woes forced Lazio to sell many of their best players. Nesta was transferred to Milan for €30.987 million (or 60 billion lire; 1 euro = 1,936.27 lire).[11] During this time, he would form a formidable defensive line alongside Maldini, Cafu, Costacurta and Stam, among others. His first two seasons with the Rossoneri were very successful. During the 2002-03 season, Nesta won the 2002–03 UEFA Champions League for the first time in his career, playing against rivals Juventus at Old Trafford, in the first all-Italian Champions League Final in history. Nesta helped Milan keep a clean sheet during the match, which went to a penalty shootout following a 0-0 deadlock after extra time. Nesta was able to net his penalty, and Milan won the shootout 3-2. Nesta also won the Coppa Italia over Roma during his first season at the club, whilst Milan finished third in Serie A that season. Nesta was once again awarded the Serie A Defender of the Year award for his performances, and was elected to be part of the UEFA Team of the Year.[12]

The following season, Milan lost both the Italian Supercup final to Juventus, and the Intercontinental Cup final to Boca Juniors, on penalties. Nesta managed to win the European Super Cup with Milan against Porto, however, and captured his second Scudetto that season, during which Milan set an Italian record for points won. Milan were eliminated in the Quarter finals of the Champions League, and in the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia, to eventual winners Lazio, although Nesta managed to score a goal in the Quarterfinal match against Roma. Nesta was once again elected to be part of the UEFA Team of the Year, for the third consecutive season.[13]

Nesta began the next season by defeating his former team Lazio to capture the Italian Supercup. Milan also reached the Champion's League Final in 2005, losing to Liverpool on penalties, whilst in Serie A, they finished behind Juventus. Despite finishing second in both Serie A and the Champions League, Nesta was elected to the 2005 FIFPro World XI for the first time in his career, for his performances.[14]

During the 2005-06 Serie A season, Milan once again finished behind Juventus in the league, although both Juventus and Milan were later deducted points for being involved in the 2006 matchfixing scandal, and the title was awarded to Inter, whilst Juventus were relegated, with Milan finishing in third place after the point deduction. Milan also reached the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2006, losing out to eventual champions Barcelona, whilst they were eliminated in the Quarter finals of the Coppa Italia.

Despite missing most of the 2006–07 season due to a shoulder injury, Nesta played a vital part in Milan's return to the 2006–07 Champions League final, where Milan avenged their 2005 final loss, defeating Liverpool 2–1 in Athens. Despite Milan's point deduction during the season, Nesta was also able to return from injury in time to help Milan manage a fourth place finish in Serie A, clinching the final Champions League spot. Nesta was elected to be part of both the UEFA Team of the Year and the FIFPro World XI for his performances that season.[15]

Nesta won his third European SuperCup in August 2007, when Milan defeated Sevilla 3-1. Nesta signed a contract extension that would keep him at Milan until 2011.[16] Nesta went on to score his first goal for Milan since April 2006 in a 1–1 draw with Siena on 15 September 2007. He followed this up with an important goal for Milan in the 4–2 victory over Boca Juniors in the final of the 2007 FIFA Club World Cup.[17] Milan would disappoint throughout the rest of the season, however, finishing 5th in Serie A, and being eliminated in the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League and the Coppa Italia.

Serious back injuries forced Nesta out of action for the whole 2008–09 season which raised concerns about his chances to make a comeback into active football.[18] He fully recovered from his injuries and came on as 77th minute substitute in Milan's final away game to Fiorentina on 31 May 2009 for his first competitive appearance of the season. Milan finished the season in third place.

The following season Nesta scored his first brace for Milan in a 2–1 victory over Chievo Verona in the Serie A. He began to re-emerge as a starter for the club and was one of Milan's most consistent players throughout the entire 2009–10 season under Leonardo. Nesta continued his excellent partnership with fellow centerback Thiago Silva throughout the 2010–11 season under Allegri, forming a formidable defensive pairing, conceding just 24 goals in 38 games during Milan's victorious Serie A campaign. Milan also managed to reach the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia, but were once again disappointingly eliminated in the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League. Throughout the 2010–11 season, speculation indicated that Nesta would retire at the end of the season. However, he later confirmed that he wanted to play one more season at Milan before retiring and signed a contract extension on 18 May 2011, which kept him on Milan's squad until summer 2012.[19][20] Nesta was elected to be part of the Serie A Team of the Year, for his performances during Milan's successful title run that season.

Nesta began his final season with Milan by winning the Italian Supercup on the 6th August 2011, defeating city rivals Inter 2-1 in Beijing. Milan finished second to Juventus in Serie A that season, and were eliminated in the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia and the Quarter-finals of the Champions League. On the 10th May, during a press conference, Nesta announced his retirement from Serie A at the end of the season. During his 10 seasons at the Milanese club, Nesta collected 325 caps, scoring 10 goals. With Milan, he won two Serie A titles, a Coppa Italia, two Italian Supercups, two Champions Leagues, two UEFA Super Cups, and a FIFA Club World Cup.[21][22]