Marco van Basten, born Marcel "Marco" van Basten on 31 October 1964, is a Dutch former football manager and player renowned for his exceptional skills as a striker for Ajax, AC Milan, and the Netherlands national team. His illustrious career was marked by numerous achievements, including three Ballon d'Or awards and a UEFA Euro 1988 victory. Here is a timeline of his significant events and milestones.
Main Milestones
Birth
31 October 1964
Marco van Basten was born in Utrecht, Netherlands, and grew up in the Oog In Al neighborhood.
Early Football Career
1970
Van Basten began playing football at the age of six for a local team, EDO, before moving to UVV Utrecht and later briefly playing for Elinkwijk.
Signing with Ajax
1981
Ajax signed 16-year-old Marco van Basten for the 1981–82 season, marking the beginning of his professional career.
Debut for Ajax
3 April 1982
Van Basten made his debut for Ajax, coming on as a substitute for Johan Cruyff and scoring a goal in the team's 5–0 victory over NEC.
Transfer to AC Milan
1987
Van Basten joined AC Milan, where he formed a legendary attacking partnership with fellow Dutch players Frank Rijkaard and Ruud Gullit.
UEFA Euro 1988 Victory
1988
Van Basten played a crucial role in the Netherlands' victory in the UEFA Euro 1988, scoring five goals, including a memorable volley in the final against the Soviet Union.
FIFA World Player of the Year
1992
Van Basten was named FIFA World Player of the Year and won his third Ballon d'Or award, solidifying his status as one of the greatest players of his time.
Retirement Due to Injury
1993
Van Basten played his last match at the age of 28 due to a recurring ankle injury, which forced him to announce his retirement two years later.
Managerial Career Begins
2004
Van Basten became the manager of the Netherlands national team, marking the start of his managerial career.
Manager of Ajax
2008
Van Basten took over as the manager of Ajax but resigned after one season due to the team's failure to qualify for the Champions League.
Manager of Heerenveen
2012
Van Basten became the manager of SC Heerenveen, leading the team to an eighth-place finish in the 2012–13 season.
Manager of AZ Alkmaar
2014
Van Basten took over as the manager of AZ Alkmaar but stepped down after five games due to health issues, transitioning to an assistant coaching role.
FIFA Technical Director
2016
Van Basten became FIFA's technical director, a position he held until 2018.
