5 greatest Dutch footballers of all time

Modified Apr 29, 2019 19:55 GMT

#2 Marco van Basten

Van Basten was among the best footballers in the world during his prime. However, it remains a pity that his prime did not last long. He had a lot of injuries which shortened his career. Still, he would comfortably feature among the greatest Dutch players of all time by virtue of his legendary performances as a footballer.

Van Basten gained prominence while playing for Ajax Amsterdam, but became a legend while playing for AC Milan. He was one of the stars of the great Milan side of the late 1980s and early 1990s, which won a lot of silverwares. Van Basten enthralled spectators with his acrobatic volleys and opportunistic strikes. He also won three Ballon d’Ors, two European Cups and three Serie A titles while playing for Milan.

Basten was very successful for his national team too, and won the European Championship with the Netherlands in 1988, scoring in the final against USSR in that tournament. He finished with a tally of 277 goals from 373 matches in his club career and 24 goals from 58 matches for his national team.

About the author

Subhadeep, an adept tennis journalist at Sportskeeda, has been writing about the sport for seven years. He is known for his exclusive match reviews and opinion pieces, utilizing his MBA degree to tackle them effectively with his problem-solving abilities.

Subhadeep lives and breathes tennis. He watches matches regularly and engages in social media platforms to stay on top of the latest happenings. As a writer, he brings the fan's perspective to his pieces, ensuring his readers enjoy an exceptional experience every time.

Growing up, he idolized Boris Becker, but he now firmly believes Novak Djokovic stands alone as the 'Greatest of all Time', especially considering the 24-time Grand Slam champion's incredible stats. One thing that still puzzles Subhadeep, however, is how Becker's Wimbledon tally might have reached five if not for Pete Sampras.

Speaking of the All England Club, the British Major holds a special place in his heart as he admires its blend of tradition and grass-court excellence. When not working for Sportskeeda, Subhadeep delves into the other "love of his life": football, and enjoys contributing his insights to different websites dedicated to the sport.

Know More

Edited by Sudeshna Banerjee