Throwback Thursday: Marco Van Basten

Throwback Thursday: Marco Van Basten

As part our dedicated throwback columns, we this week present you a major and unparalleled talent of his time and the one who romped the 1980's - Marco Van Basten

A young lad from a modest village of Holland went on to become one of the greatest striker or all time, only for his cruel faith to end his career at 30. But his contribution to the game is unmatched.

Born on the 31st of October, 1964 Marco Van Basten started his playing career for his local side at the age of seven. He was poached Dutch giants Ajax after his blistering performance in the development years. A superb all round player, van Basten was a elegant yet strong striker. Proficient with either foot, he could score goals which a lay man can't even think off.

Having joined Ajax at the age of 18, he made his debut as he replaced his idol Johan Cruyff in 1982. Basten went on to score on his debut, to make a debut to remember. But at just 18, Basten was behind in the pecking order as a choice of strikers. Still he managed to bang in 9 goals from the 20 matches he played in the first season for Ajax.

Van Basten had already made his name ring in the stadium with the 19 year old determined to perform and make a name for himself. He was handed a perfect opportunity as he now was the first choice with Win Kieft sold.

For this point on, there was no stopping the lad, as the next four years in the Dutch league proved to be a cake walk for him. The teenager was handed his first national team call up in 1983, the manager has seen enough of Marco to call him up for the big stage.

1983/84 season individually proved to be a great year for him, but less so on the club and international stage. He finished as the top scorer of the league. As did he for the next three seasons in a row after that.

1986/87 was the last season for Van Basten before moving to AC Milan for £1.5m. At his time at Ajax he won two Eredivise, two Dutch Cups, and a Cup Winners Cup.

And his goal stats:

138 goals in 145 appearances in all competition.

117 goals in 112 matches in the league.

With 1985/86 season proving to be the best in terms of goals - 37 from 26 games.

In 1987, he joined the mighty Milan, as an impressive striker who had an eye for goals. But his first season turned out to be unsuccessful, having only played 11 games all season due to an injury.

But in subsequent years, things just got better with fellow countrymen Rijkaard and Gullit joined AC Milan. Basten went on to record the best year of his career. He helped Milan to Serie A title and also won a Italian cup.

It was the Dutch era, as the Milan Boys took the world by storm. As they stormed on to win the Euro Championship of 1988, with a Basten inspired side. Basten won the Dutch, European and World footballer of the year edging his team mates Rijkaard and Gullit.

It was on a upwards for Basten and Milan the next few season, as they went on to win innumerable number of titles in that period. Until in 1993, an bizarre injury forced the man to retire.

His 90 league goals for Milan and 122 in 195 in total still remain up there.