Marcel van Basten · Netherlands
Photo : CC BY 2.5 — Paul Blank (Wikimedia Commons)
Van Basten scored a volley in the 1988 European Championship final from a position on the right byline where the goal was, geometrically, almost not there. It is the most replayed goal in the tournament’s history, and it settled a final the Netherlands won against the Soviet Union for the country’s only major trophy.
At Milan he formed the Dutch spine with Gullit and Rijkaard that won back-to-back European Cups in 1989 and 1990, and he won three Ballons d’Or in five years. He scored 90 goals in 147 Serie A appearances in a league built around defending, which remains the argument for him over more prolific forwards in weaker competitions.
An ankle injury ended it at twenty-eight. He played his last match in 1993, spent two years attempting to come back, and retired at thirty. What he did in ten senior seasons is the reason he is still discussed alongside players who managed twenty.
Club career
| Years | Club | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981–1987 | Ajax | 133 | 128 |
| 1987–1995 | AC Milan | 147 | 90 |
| Total | 280 | 218 |
International career
| Years | Team | Caps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983–1992 | Netherlands | 58 | 24 |
Honours
Related legends
Career figures compiled from public records. Competitive senior appearances only.