Ruud Gullit
Dutch legend, Ballon d'Or winner, and pioneer of total football.
Ruud Gullit (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈryt ˈxʏlɪt] ; born Rudi Dil on 1 September 1962) is a Dutch former professional footballer and manager. Known for his ability to play multiple positions, he won the 1987 Ballon d'Or and was a long-time Netherlands national team captain, leading them to the UEFA Euro 1988 title.
- Nationality
- Dutch
- Primary Position
- Midfielder / Forward
- Major Individual Honours
- Ballon d'Or (1987)
- World Cup Appearances
- 1 (1990)
- Status
- Retired
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Gullit moved from PSV to AC Milan in 1987 for a world record transfer fee, joined by compatriots Marco van Basten and, a year later, Frank Rijkaard. They won two Scudetti and two European Cups together, Rijkaard having missed out on the 1987–88 Serie A title. Individual awards would inevitably follow especially for Gullit when, in addition to the Ballon d'Or, he was named World Soccer Player of the Year in 1987 and 1989. In 1995, Gullit signed for Chelsea and was appointed the club's player-manager a year later. In his managerial debut season, he led Chelsea to FA Cup success, the club's first major title for 26 years, and in doing so, became the first overseas manager to win the FA Cup. Aside from the victorious Euro 1988 campaign, Gullit also represented the Netherlands at the 1990 FIFA World Cup and Euro 1992. In 2004, Gullit was named one of the Top 125 greatest living footballers as part of FIFA's 100th anniversary celebration.
In Their Own Story
The 1989 European Cup final against Steaua București was a defining moment for Gullit. Despite a broken meniscus suffered in the semi-final against Real Madrid, he underwent a quick operation to play. He scored two crucial goals in Milan's 4–0 victory. As Gullit recalled: "The year that we won the Champions League, in the semi-final against Real Madrid I got injured. My meniscus was broken. I got a very quick operation so that I could play the final." The next season, when he started to train again, both his meniscus and cartilage were damaged, keeping him out almost the entire season. He later said: "It was hard because I was on the edge of maybe not playing football anymore."
Reader's Guide
Gullit won three Scudetti with AC Milan: 1987–88, 1991–92, and 1992–93. Rijkaard missed out on the 1987–88 Serie A title.
Did You Know?
- Gullit was born as Rudi Dil in Amsterdam.
- He was named Dutch Footballer of the Year in 1984 and 1986.
- Gullit scored two goals in the 1989 European Cup final.
- He was loaned to Sampdoria in 1993.
More in honours
Elsewhere in the FIFA World Cup universe
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