Full Name
Marcel “Marco” van Basten
Position
Striker
Born
31 October 1964
Country
Holland
Clubs
Ajax (Holland)
AC Milan (Italy)
Professional Career
1982-1993
International Caps/Goals
58 caps/24 goals
Honours
3 Dutch Eredivisie title, 3 Dutch Cup (Ajax)
4 Serie A Scudetto, 4 Italian Super Cup (AC Milan)
3 European Cup/UEFA Champions League, 3 European Super Cup (AC Milan)
1 Cup Winners’ Cup (Ajax)
2 Intercontinental Cup (AC Milan)
1988 UEFA European Championship (Holland)
1988/1989/1992 European Footballer of the Year
1992 FIFA World Player of the Year
1988/1992 Ballon d’Or
He was remembered by many fans for having a relatively short but glittering career in football. During his time, Marco van Basten was one of the best strikers in the game.
Signed by AC Milan in 1987 together with comrades Ruud Gullit and Frank Rijkaard, the trio dominated and terrorised the Serie A, winning three Scudetto and two Champions League trophies. In his six years with AC Milan, van Basten plundered 90 goals in 147 games (goal ratio of one goal in 1.6 game). However, his career – only 12 seasons in total – was unfortunately cut short by an ankle injury caused by the rugged defending of the opponents, who were determined to stop him at all cost.
Van Basten’s most memorable strike was the incredible first time volley at a very tight angle against the USSR in the European Championship 1988 final. His strike won Holland their one and only international glory. Van Basten finished as the tournament’s top scorer with five goals.
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