Van Basten, Marco (1964– )

Dutch footballer. A celebrated striker, he helped the Netherlands to win the European Championship in 1988, finishing the tournament as top scorer. He also scored two goals for AC Milan when they beat Steaua Bucharest 4–0 in the European Cup final in 1989. He was named European Footballer of the Year three times and was voted FIFA World Player of the Year in 1992. He managed the Dutch national side 2004–08.

Career highlights

International appearances (1983–92) 58 (24 goals)

Dutch League Championship 1982, 1983, 1985

Italian League Championship 1988, 1992, 1993

Dutch Cup 1983, 1986, 1987

European Cup Winners' Cup 1987

European Championship 1988

European Cup 1989, 1990

Intercontinental Cup 1989, 1990

Awards FIFA World Player of the Year 1992

European Footballer of the Year 1988, 1989, 1992

He started his career with top Dutch side Ajax and won many domestic honours. In 1987 he transferred to AC Milan for £3.3 million. Injury forced him to retire in 1995. At the 2008 European Championships, his Dutch side started as the most impressive team of the tournament, with 3–0 and 4–1 wins over Italy and France in the group stages, but they lost to Russia in the quarter-finals. In July 2008, he became manager of Ajax.