Marco van Basten

The Swan who scored volleys of perfection before his career ended too soon.

via Wikipedia: Marco van Basten · see source

Marco van Basten joined AC Milan in 1987, signed by president Silvio Berlusconi alongside Ruud Gullit. Completing the Dutch legion with Frank Rijkaard's arrival in 1988, he became the centerpiece of a dominant squad. Despite playing only 11 matches in his first season due to ankle trouble, Van Basten quickly established himself as Europe's premier striker. Milan won their first Scudetto in eight years in his first season, and he scored twice in the 1989 European Cup final and assisted the winning goal in the 1990 final.

Quick Facts

Full name: Marcel van Basten
Born: 31 October 1964
Birthplace: Utrecht, Netherlands
Height: 1.88 m / 6 ft 2 in
Position: Striker
Total caps: 280
Total goals: 218

Lore & Background

Van Basten's time at Milan was defined by brilliance overshadowed by a recurring ankle injury. In the 1988–89 season, he won the Ballon d'Or while scoring two goals in the European Cup final against Steaua București. The following year, he became Capocannoniere again and assisted Frank Rijkaard for the match-winning goal as Milan defeated Benfica to defend their title. However, after falling out with manager Arrigo Sacchi, Fabio Capello took over. Van Basten scored 25 league goals in the 1991–92 season, a tally not matched since Luís Vinício in 1965–66. In November 1992, he became the first player to score four goals in a Champions League match against IFK Göteborg, including a bicycle kick, and was named FIFA World Player of the Year.

Reader's Guide

Van Basten's playing style combined close ball control with exceptional vision, allowing him to operate as a second striker or traditional centre-forward. He could hold up play against defenders and distribute passes, notably assisting Rijkaard in the 1990 European Cup final. His physical stature masked his elegance and balance, making him difficult to dispossess. His premature retirement sparked debate on player safety, leading FIFA to outlaw tackles from behind in 1998, a ruling known as the 'Van Basten law.' He spent the whole 1993–94 season out of action; with Milan he won four Serie A titles and two European Cups.

Did You Know?

He scored 37 league goals in just 26 matches during the 1985–86 season while at Ajax, winning the European Golden Boot.
His final match for Milan was the 1–0 loss to Marseille in the Champions League final, in which he came off in the 86th minute.
He announced his retirement on 17 August 1995 at age 30 after two years of unsuccessful treatment for a recurring ankle injury.
The rule change banning tackles from behind was colloquially named the 'Van Basten law' following his career-ending injuries.