Dutch Master

When it comes to scoring goals in the modern era there has never been a player like Marco Van Basten. Over six stunning seasons the Milan man confirmed himself the most complete striker of the past two decades. And it brought him his fair share of honours.

The Dutch genius started his career with Ajax where he was thrown into the first team as a teenager. It is a mark of his quality that Johan Cruyff reckoned he was ready for his debut at the age of just 17. Strong in the air, deadly off either foot and with elegant skills he was a nightmare for any defender.

These qualities brought him a huge haul of domestic honours in Holland, but Milan magnate Silvio Berlusconi had bigger plans for him. The media millionaire was building a team of world-beaters at the San Siro and saw huge potential in Van Basten. Along with countrymen Ruud Gullit and Frank Rijkaard he would help create the team of the decade.
Not that things started smoothly for the boy from Utrecht. A troublesome right ankle which would eventually finish his career ruined his first season in Italy. Indeed, there was plenty of speculation that Milan would rid themselves of the Dutch international who was out injured for six months of his first Serie A campaign.

But the Rossoneri had faith in Van Basten and that paid off big style. He helped them to three League titles, two European Cups, two Super Cups, two World Club Cups and was voted European Player of the Year three times in the space of just six years. It was little more than he deserved.

Of all three Dutchmen, the outstanding hitman was probably the best loved by the Milan supporters. They dubbed him ‘The White Swan’ for his elegant approach to the game. Even thundering shots past opposition goalkeepers seemed effortless. The high points of his meteoric Italian career are too numerous to mention. But after helping his country to the European Nations title of 1988 - including his memorable acute angle volley against Russia - he enjoyed a real purple patch. He put breathtaking performances back-to-back season after season.

In 1989 he struck twice to destroy Steaua Bucharest in the European Cup final and bring the trophy back to Milan for the first time in 20 years. He helped take his team to the same title the following season and in 1992 he crushed Gothenburg single-handed with four goals in one game. In Serie A he grabbed 90 goals over just six seasons.

But his crippling injuries started to take their toll towards the end of 1993 and against Marseille in yet another European Cup final he played his final game for Milan. After surgery and several failed comebacks he was forced to admit defeat in 1995 - at the age of just 30. The football world had been robbed of one of its greatest talents. In an emotional Press conference he told the world of his decision to give up the game.

The classy hitman could now hardly walk because of his injuries never mind compete at the highest level. Better to quit football than risk further damage. Van Basten took it philosophically. "I’ve tried acupuncture, I’ve even tried a few faith healers. But it hasn’t worked and when I stand up my ankle hurts. I’m still limping," he told the media pack. "I’ve had eight great years at Milan but now I have to stop. But that’s life."

Asked to pick out a personal highlight the big front man had little doubt. The Rossoneri’s European triumphs were many, but their first one remained the sweetest. Van Basten was carried away by the crowd’s support. "In Barcelona, before the final with Steaua, when we were in the team bus heading towards the Nou Camp and the streets were full of 90,000 of our fans," he said. "That was truly an amazing feeling."

None of those supporters will ever have forgotten Van Basten who is now happy living a quiet, family life far away from the football spotlight. He undoubtedly had the class and intelligence to become a top class coach but his injuries made him aware of a world outside the game. He has left anyone that saw him with some very special memories.
"My mind needs rest," he told one interviewer. "Especially because after my injury I noticed that there is more to life than I had realised. Instead of feeling uncomfortable without the daily routine of training and playing, I experienced a lot of nice things. It made me realise how large life is."

Although his career was cut short Van Basten achieved more than most players would dream of. So he is unlikely to be rushing back into the world of football despite all the skills he has to offer. But Milan would certainly welcome him with open arms if he ever changes his mind.

Marco not ready yet to return

For the past three years, the former European and World Footballer of the Year has spent his days ‘doing nothing.’ Those are Marco Van Basten’s own words, said with a little self-deprecating smile as he hones his already immaculate golf game. Not that he has been short of offers to go back to football. A whole host of clubs have flocked to the front door of his luxury pad in Monaco over the past few years.

Van Basten has watched former teammates such as Ruud Gullit and Frank Rijkaard stroll into management, listened patiently to those who covet his equally sharp footballing brain, and then returned to the golf course and tennis court to while away what should have been the final days of his playing career.

Just approaching his 35th birthday, he considers himself still too young and too immature to give orders on the training ground. As for whether he will ever be ready to make a delayed transition from player to Coach, not even the man himself is sure.

"I had a good time, played until I was 28 and then had three difficult years with my ankle before I stopped being in football at 31. I still had problems with the ankle and had to resolve them. Now I’ve been doing nothing for three years - and really enjoying it. I feel happy and OK. I’m not too lazy to work. I just don’t feel something inside of me saying: ‘Let’s start doing something else now.’

Van Basten has taken a huge step back from public life to avoid the constant pressure that is involved in football. "I have to say that, while playing football is very nice, being a Coach or a trainer is something completely different. I am still someone who likes to do things, not tell others what to do."

But he can only go on playing golf and tennis every day for so long. If he is too young to work in management at 34, he is certainly too young to live the life of a retired banker. His sole involvement in football since being forced out with that recurring ankle injury, the result of years of hefty tackles, was an invitation to contribute to a FIFA task force which outlawed the challenge from behind.

When Van Basten first retired he felt it was a relief, saying: "After three years of pain I wanted a normal life again. Just imagine feeling pain every minute of the day." He wants the laws strengthened even more to protect skilful players and is clearly still bitter about the tactics which brought a premature end to his blossoming career. "I think, near the end of my career I was playing my best. I felt that every year I was getting better. I had more experience, more balance physically and mentally, with each season. It was pretty young to stop, only 28, and I always had the feeling that my good years were still to come," he says ruefully.

Football fans who remember the great man’s skills hope that eventually he will be ready to return and pass some of that magic on.

Not a fan

Marco Van Basten’s reluctance to become involved in football again could be traced back to comments made earlier in his career. Then he said: "I found out that out of 10 so-called top Coaches, only one is really able to improve the team. Six do no harm and three even manage to make the team worse.’

STAR RATING 8/10 An incomparable record of success while revolutionising the role of the modern striker. Cruel injury robbed him of making an even bigger impact on the Italian game.

Marco Van Basten
Date of Birth: 31/10/64
Place of Birth: Utrecht, Holland
Serie A Career: Milan (87-95) - 147 games, 90 goals
Serie A top scorer: 1989-90, 1991-92
Honours:
3 Dutch League titles (1982, 1983, 1985)
3 Dutch Cups (1983, 1986, 1987)
1 Cup-Winners’ Cup (1987)
1 European Championship (1988)
1 Serie A Title (1988, 1992, 1993)
2 European Cups (1989, 1990)
2 European Super Cups (1990, 1991)
2 World Club Cups (1990, 1991)
2 Italian Super Cups (1989, 1993)
1 FIFA World Player of Year title (1992)
3 European Player of the Year titles (1988, 1989, 1992)



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