Overview

Marco van Basten is a former Dutch professional footballer and coach, widely regarded as one of the greatest strikers in the history of the sport. Born on October 31, 1964, in Utrecht, Netherlands, Van Basten’s career was marked by technical brilliance, incredible goalscoring ability, and a knack for scoring spectacular goals.

He began his professional career with Ajax, where he won three Eredivisie titles and was the league’s top scorer for four consecutive seasons. His success at Ajax included winning the European Golden Boot in 1986. Van Basten then moved to AC Milan in 1987, where he enjoyed immense success, winning three Serie A titles and two European Cups. He was renowned for his elegance on the ball, precise finishing, and aerial prowess.

Internationally, Van Basten was a key figure for the Netherlands, notably scoring a stunning volley in the final of UEFA Euro 1988 against the Soviet Union, leading his team to victory and earning the tournament’s top scorer and best player awards. He won the Ballon d’Or three times (1988, 1989, and 1992) and was named FIFA World Player of the Year in 1992.

Unfortunately, Van Basten’s career was cut short due to a severe ankle injury, leading to his retirement in 1995. After retiring as a player, he transitioned to coaching, including managing the Dutch national team and club sides such as Ajax and Heerenveen.