Marco van Basten

Marco van Basten was born on 31 October 1964 in Utrecht, Netherlands. He grew up playing for local clubs before joining Ajax at age 16. As a striker, he became known for his close control, sharp attacking instincts, excellent heading, and spectacular volleys. He scored 128 goals in 133 league matches for Ajax, leading the Eredivisie in scoring for four straight seasons and winning the European Golden Boot in 1985–86. He also scored the winning goal in the 1987 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup final.

In 1987, AC Milan signed him, and he later played alongside fellow Dutchmen Ruud Gullit and Frank Rijkaard. With Milan, he won four Serie A titles and two European Cups. He scored twice in the 1989 European Cup final and assisted the winning goal in the 1990 final. In the 1991–92 season, his 25 league goals were the highest in Serie A in over 25 years. In November 1992, he became the first player to score four goals in a single Champions League match, including a bicycle kick.

For the Netherlands, he won UEFA Euro 1988, earning the Golden Boot with five goals. His volley in the final against the Soviet Union is widely considered one of the greatest goals ever. He was named FIFA World Player of the Year in 1992 and won the Ballon d'Or three times (1988, 1989, 1992).

A recurring ankle injury cut his career short. He played his last match at age 28 and retired at 30 after more than two years of unsuccessful treatment. He later managed Ajax and the Netherlands national team.

Van Basten scored over 300 goals at the highest levels. In 1998, he ranked sixth in the FIFA Player of the Century internet poll, tenth in the IFFHS European Player of the Century, and 12th in the IFFHS World Player of the Century. France Football's Ballon d'Or winners voted him eighth in their Football Player of the Century poll. In 2004, Pelé included him in the FIFA 100 list. That same year, a Dutch public poll ranked him the 25th greatest Dutch person, second among footballers only to Johan Cruyff. In 2007, Sky Sports ranked him first on its list of great athletes whose careers were cut short.