Marco van Basten

File:Van Basten (r) juicht na zijn treffer (2-0), midden Feyenoorddoelman Hiele, Bestanddeelnr 932-7028.jpg in September 1983, following Gerald Vanenburg's corner. Edo Ophof (Ajax), Felix Gasselich (Ajax), André Hoekstra (Feyenoord) and goalkeeper Joop Hiele (Feyenoord) are the other players in the picture. The average age of the Ajax team at the time was roughly {{frac|22|1|2}} years.{{cite web |url=https://www.afc-ajax.info/en/match/1983-9-18-Ajax-Feyenoord |title=Ajax - Feyenoord 8 - 2 (9/18/1983) |date=18 September 1983 |publisher=www.afc-ajax.info |access-date=17 April 2020 |archive-date=3 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803202348/https://www.afc-ajax.info/en/match/1983-9-18-Ajax-Feyenoord |url-status=live }}]]

Marco van Basten was born on 31 October 1964 in Utrecht and grew up in the Oog In Al neighborhood. He began playing for a local team, EDO, when he was six years old. A year later, he moved to UVV Utrecht. After nine years there, he briefly played for another club from Utrecht, Elinkwijk.

File:KNVB-bekerfinale FC Den Haag tegen Ajax het hele Ajax-team met beker, Bestanddeelnr 934-0064.jpg for Ajax]]

Ajax signed 16-year-old Marco for the 1981–82 season after his 19-year-old brother Stanley was rejected. Their father Joop had kept the younger son at another club with the hope that Ajax would take Stanley in professionally. He played his first match for Ajax on 3 April 1982, coming on as a substitute for Johan Cruyff, and scoring a debut goal in the team's 5–0 victory over NEC.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2430624/My-School-Sport-Marco-van-Basten.html |title=My School Sport: Marco van Basten |work=The Telegraph |last1=Davies |first1=Gareth A |date=11 February 2002 |access-date=19 April 2020 |archive-date=1 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201001924/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2430624/My-School-Sport-Marco-van-Basten.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/marco-van-basten-games-changed-my-life |title=Marco van Basten: Games That Changed My Life |publisher=FourFourTwo |date=20 April 2017 |access-date=19 April 2020 |archive-date=3 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803214155/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/marco-van-basten-games-changed-my-life |url-status=live }}

In the 1982–83 season, he competed with the European top scorer and first choice Holland international Wim Kieft for the position of centre forward, and scored nine goals in 20 league matches. Ajax chose to sell Kieft to Italian Serie A club Pisa the following season, and 18 year old Van Basten solidified his position as his team's main attacker similarly in the national team.

He was the top scorer in the league for four consecutive seasons, from 1983–84 to 1986–87, scoring 118 goals in 112 matches. In the 1985–86 season, he scored 37 goals in 26 league matches, including six goals against Sparta Rotterdam and five against Heracles Almelo, and won the European Golden Boot. He also scored the winning goal in the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup final against Lokomotive Leipzig in 1987. In total he scored 128 goals in 133 league matches for Ajax. In November 1986 he scored his most famous goal in an Ajax jersey, a spectacular overhead kick against FC Den Bosch.[http://www.tvgids.nl/de-omhaal-van-marco-van-basten/youtubevideo/165667/ De omhaal van Marco van Basten] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171226195738/http://www.tvgids.nl/de-omhaal-van-marco-van-basten/youtubevideo/165667/ |date=26 December 2017 }} - TV Gids {{in lang|nl}}

File:Marco van Basten 1990-1992.jpg]]

In 1987, Milan president Silvio Berlusconi signed Van Basten, along with fellow countryman Ruud Gullit. In 1988, the Dutch legion got completed when Frank Rijkaard joined the club (at the time only three non-Italians were allowed). In his first season, Milan won their first Scudetto in eight years, but Van Basten played only 11 matches and was constantly troubled by an ankle injury.{{cite web |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Marco-van-Basten |title=Marco van Basten |publisher=www.britannica.com |author1=Adam Augustyn |access-date=25 June 2018 |archive-date=25 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180625190145/https://www.britannica.com/biography/Marco-van-Basten |url-status=live }} In 1988–89, Van Basten won the Ballon d'Or as Europe's top footballer. He scored 19 goals in Serie A and 32 goals in all competitions that year, including two goals in the final of the European Cup, as Milan triumphed against Steaua București. In 1989–90, he became Capocannoniere again (Serie A's leading goal scorer); Milan also successfully defended the European Cup after beating Benfica 1–0 in the final match, during which Van Basten provided the assist for Rijkaard's match-winning goal.

Milan struggled in the 1990–91 season, as Sampdoria won the Scudetto. After Van Basten fell out with Arrigo Sacchi, Berlusconi sacked the manager. Fabio Capello took over the following season, and Milan went undefeated in the league to win another Scudetto. Van Basten scored 25 league goals, and became Capocannoniere again; his tally from the 1991–92 season was the highest number of goals that a player had scored in a single Serie A season since Luís Vinício achieved the same tally during the 1965–66 season.{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesi/italtops.html |title=Italy - Serie A Top Scorers |author1=Roberto Di Maggio |author2=Igor Kramarsic |author3=Alberto Novello |date=11 June 2015 |website=RSSSF |access-date=18 June 2018 |archive-date=31 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151031163443/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesi/italtops.html |url-status=live }}

{{Quote box|width=30%|align=right|quote="Marco was the greatest striker I ever coached. His early retirement was a mortal misfortune for him, for football, and for Milan."

|source =—Former Milan manager Fabio Capello in 2010 on working with Van Basten and his premature retirement.[http://www.goal.com/en-gh/news/4375/editorials/2012/12/09/3589458/theres-only-one-marco-van-basten-ac-milans-dutch-legend-may "There's only one Marco van Basten: AC Milan's Dutch legend may never be surpassed"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102201113/http://www.goal.com/en-gh/news/4375/editorials/2012/12/09/3589458/theres-only-one-marco-van-basten-ac-milans-dutch-legend-may |date=2 November 2013 }}. Goal.com. Retrieved 31 March 2013}}

In November 1992, he became the first player to score four goals in a Champions League match, against IFK Göteborg, including a picture perfect bicycle kick. In December 1992, Van Basten was named FIFA World Player of the Year. Milan stretched their unbeaten run into the 1992–93 season, going 58 matches over two seasons before they lost a match. Van Basten was exceptional in the early part of the season. He was again voted the European player of the year, becoming the third player after Johan Cruyff and Michel Platini to win the award three times.

His troublesome ankle injury{{Cite news|url= https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/dec/14/newsstory.sport17|title= How Capello won his nine league titles|work= The Guardian|date= 14 December 2007|access-date= 23 January 2009|location= London|first= Nicky|last= Bandini|archive-date= 7 October 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211007122049/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/dec/14/newsstory.sport17|url-status= live}} recurred in a game against Ancona, forcing him to endure another six-month layoff, and undergo a series of surgeries. He returned for the last few matches in the season, before Milan lost 1–0 to Marseille in the Champions League final. The match was Van Basten's final match for the Italian club. He came off in the 86th minute for Stefano Eranio, after a hard tackle behind from Basile Boli condemned Van Basten to the third ankle surgery of his career.{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/50054--marseille-vs-milan/ |title=Marseille 1-0 Milan |publisher=UEFA |access-date=18 June 2018 |archive-date=19 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619190653/https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/history/season=1992/matches/round=50/match=50054/index.html?iv=true |url-status=live }}

Van Basten had been hopeful of playing for his country at the 1994 World Cup as well as for his club in the 1994–95 season after spending the whole 1993–94 season out of action (missing Milan's victory in the European Cup as well as their Serie A title glory),[http://www.itv.com/sport/football/championsleague/news/classic-highlights-1994-champions-league-final-ac-milan-v-barcelona-73652/ "Classic Highlights: 1994 Champions League Final – AC Milan v Barcelona"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110309212412/http://www.itv.com/sport/football/championsleague/news/classic-highlights-1994-champions-league-final-ac-milan-v-barcelona-73652/ |date=9 March 2011 }}. ITV.com. but his club ordered him not to take part in the World Cup amid fear of ruining his rehabilitation.{{cite news | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-uefa-cup-call-for-newcastle-st-james-park-delighted-at-return-to-europe-while-dubliners-plan-a-huge-sendoff-1420397.html | location=London | work=The Independent | first=Henry | last=Winter | title=Football: Uefa Cup call for Newcastle: St James' Park delighted at return to Europe while Dubliners plan a huge send-off | date=4 June 1994 | access-date=3 November 2017 | archive-date=25 September 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925210410/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-uefa-cup-call-for-newcastle-st-james-park-delighted-at-return-to-europe-while-dubliners-plan-a-huge-sendoff-1420397.html | url-status=live }} He finally conceded defeat in his battle to recover on 17 August 1995, when he announced his retirement as a player after two whole years on the sidelines. Van Basten made a farewell appearance to thank the Milan fans before a home game at the San Siro, with an emotional Milan coach Fabio Capello breaking down in tears.{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/08/18/sports/sports-people-soccer-ac-milan-s-van-basten-retires.html | work=The New York Times | title=SPORTS PEOPLE: SOCCER; AC Milan's Van Basten Retires | date=18 August 1995 | access-date=17 February 2017 | archive-date=12 October 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161012080147/http://www.nytimes.com/1995/08/18/sports/sports-people-soccer-ac-milan-s-van-basten-retires.html | url-status=live }}

File:EK voetbal in West Duitsland Engeland tegen Nederland 1-3 Marco van Basten ju, Bestanddeelnr 934-2659.jpg his hat-trick against England at Euro 88]]

In 1984, Van Basten debuted for the Netherlands national football team during a UEFA Euro 1984 qualifying against Iceland.{{Cite web|title=Van Basten maakt honderd vol tegen Luxemburg|url=https://www.vi.nl/nieuws/van-basten-maakt-honderd-vol-tegen-luxemburg|website=Voetbal International|date=16 November 2017|access-date=21 October 2024|language=nl|archive-date=9 June 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250609063058/https://www.vi.nl/nieuws/van-basten-maakt-honderd-vol-tegen-luxemburg|url-status=live}}

At UEFA Euro 1988, Van Basten played a pivotal role in the Dutch team's victorious campaign. He scored a total of five goals, including a hat-trick against England in the first round, the winning goal in the semi-final against West Germany,{{Cite news|first=David|last=Lacey|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/1988/jun/22/euro2004.sport|title=Marco's late hook floors the favourites|newspaper=The Guardian|date=22 June 1988|access-date=23 January 2009|location=London|archive-date=30 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231030220418/https://www.theguardian.com/football/1988/jun/22/euro2004.sport|url-status=live}} and a spectacular volley from an acute angle in the 2–0 final against the Soviet Union,{{Cite magazine|title=The Euros have provided some of the greatest goals seen in international football over the years. Here are 10 of the best|url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com.au/feature/10-greatest-goals-in-the-european-championships-110443|magazine=FourFourTwo|access-date=4 January 2018|archive-date=18 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618153701/https://www.fourfourtwo.com.au/feature/10-greatest-goals-in-the-european-championships-110443|url-status=live}} during which he also provided the assist for Gullit's opening goal.{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/history/news/0253-0d7b2f78ca99-40f24ef873fd-1000--van-basten-volley-crowns-netherlands-euro-1988-final-win-ag/ |title=Van Basten ends Dutch wait|website=UEFA|date=5 October 2003 |access-date=3 November 2019 |archive-date=2 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180902014727/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/season=1988/matches/round=210/match=22/postmatch/report/index.html |url-status=live }} He finished the competition as the top scorer and was named player of the tournament. He was also included in team of the tournament. In a 2002 UK poll, Van Basten's volley against the Soviet Union was ranked #21 in the list of the 100 Greatest Sporting Moments.{{Cite web|title=100 Greatest Sporting Moments {{!}} Results|url=http://www.channel4.com/entertainment/tv/microsites/G/greatest_sporting/results.html|url-status=dead|website=Channel 4|location=London|access-date=6 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020204090913/http://www.channel4.com/entertainment/tv/microsites/G/greatest_sporting/results.html|archive-date=4 February 2002}}

The Dutch national team exited the 1990 World Cup early, losing 2–1 to eventual champions West Germany in the second round.{{Cite news|first=Barry|last=Gledenning|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/may/22/25-stunning-world-cup-moments- |title=World Cup stunning moments: Frank Rijkaard and Rudi Völler|newspaper=The Guardian|date=19 May 2018 |access-date=10 November 2023 |archive-date=29 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231029205829/https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/may/22/25-stunning-world-cup-moments- |url-status=live }} Van Basten never scored in the World Cup finals. At UEFA Euro 1992, the Netherlands defeated reigning World Champions Germany 3–1 in the first round to top their group and reach the semi-finals, where they surprisingly lost to the eventual champions Denmark in a penalty shoot-out, with Peter Schmeichel saving a penalty shot from Van Basten. Although he went scoreless throughout the tournament, he was included in team of the tournament for the second time in 1992.{{cite news |url=https://www.uefa.com/euro2024/news/0253-0d7bc692c194-ce0e0f567c1e-1000--euro-1992-team-of-the-tournament/ |title=1992 team of the tournament|website=UEFA|date=17 October 2011 |access-date=17 June 2012 |archive-date=22 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140122204022/http://www.uefa.com/news/newsid=1625178.html |url-status=live }}

Regarded as one of the greatest and most complete strikers and players in the history of the sport, due to his prolific goalscoring and great skill set, Van Basten was dubbed the "Swan Of Utrecht" for his elegance and intelligent attacking play, and was known for his penchant for scoring acrobatic goals.{{cite web|url=http://www.acmilan.com/it/archive/show_player/Marco-Van-Basten|title=AC Milan Hall of Fame: Marco van Basten|publisher=acmilan.com|access-date=9 December 2014|archive-date=3 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150103051658/http://www.acmilan.com/it/archive/show_player/Marco-Van-Basten|url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/05/11/sports/a-classic-attacker-leads-the-dutch.html |title=A 'Classic Attacker' Leads the Dutch |newspaper=The New York Times |author1=Ken Shulman |page=29 |date=11 May 1990 |access-date=18 June 2018 |archive-date=18 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618175231/https://www.nytimes.com/1990/05/11/sports/a-classic-attacker-leads-the-dutch.html |url-status=live }} His height and strength allowed him to excel in the air, and his technical ability and agility saw him execute spectacular strikes throughout his career, such as volleys and bicycle kicks.{{cite web|url=http://sport.sky.it/sport/calcio_estero/2014/10/28/gol_piu_belli_di_marco_van_basten_compleanno_50_anni.html|title=Rovesciate e tiri al volo: inconfondibile Marco di fabbrica|publisher=Sport.Sky.it|language=it|date=28 October 2014|access-date=9 December 2014|archive-date=14 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141214030028/http://sport.sky.it/sport/calcio_estero/2014/10/28/gol_piu_belli_di_marco_van_basten_compleanno_50_anni.html|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/1995/08/18/mai-piu-gol-marco.html|title=MAI PIU' GOL, MARCO|website=repubblica.it|language=it|date=18 August 1995|access-date=9 December 2014|archive-date=14 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141214170305/http://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/1995/08/18/mai-piu-gol-marco.html|url-status=live}} A fast and opportunistic striker with quick reactions and excellent movement, he often took advantage of loose balls in the penalty area due to his ability to anticipate defenders, and was capable of both controlling fast and difficult balls well with one touch, or even shooting first time.{{cite web|url=http://www.ilpost.it/2014/10/31/marco-van-basten/|title=Le due carriere di Marco van Basten|publisher=Il Post|language=it|date=31 October 2014|access-date=9 December 2014|archive-date=29 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129123729/http://www.ilpost.it/2014/10/31/marco-van-basten/|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://storiedicalcio.altervista.org/blog/marco-vanbasten.html |title=VAN BASTEN Marco: il volo del cigno |date=9 February 2016 |publisher=storiedicalcio.altervista.org |language=it |access-date=3 November 2019 |archive-date=3 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191103204001/https://storiedicalcio.altervista.org/blog/marco-vanbasten.html |url-status=live }} Possessing a powerful and accurate shot, and clinical, varied finishing from anywhere along the pitch, he was capable of scoring goals with either foot from inside or outside the penalty area, as well as with his head; he was also an accurate penalty kick and free-kick taker.{{cite news |url=http://www.archiviolastampa.it/component/option,com_lastampa/task,search/mod,libera/action,viewer/Itemid,3/page,26/articleid,0721_01_1994_0005_0026_10401328/ |title=Lo zar: di Van Basten ce n'è uno |newspaper=La Stampa |page=26 |language=it |author1=Franco Badolato |date=6 January 1994 |access-date=17 November 2018 |archive-date=24 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230124145535/http://www.archiviolastampa.it/component/option,com_lastampa/task,search/mod,libera/action,viewer/Itemid,3/page,26/articleid,0721_01_1994_0005_0026_10401328/ |url-status=live }} Throughout his career, Van Basten converted 53 penalties out of the 57 he took, with a 93.0% success rate, the sixth highest in history, behind Ledio Pano (100%), Matthew Le Tissier (97.9%), Zico (97.8%), Cuauhtémoc Blanco (97.3%), and Ferenc Puskás (96.7%). Before taking penalties, Van Basten often used to perform a characteristic hop.{{cite web |url=https://fuorigioco.calciomercato.it/2019/10/13/jorginho-e-non-solo-da-van-basten-a-le-tissier-i-migliori-rigoristi-della-storia/ |title=Jorginho e non solo: da Van Basten a Le Tissier, i migliori rigoristi della storia |publisher=fuorigioco.calciomercato.it |language=it |date=13 October 2019 |access-date=4 November 2019 |archive-date=4 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191104235337/https://fuorigioco.calciomercato.it/2019/10/13/jorginho-e-non-solo-da-van-basten-a-le-tissier-i-migliori-rigoristi-della-storia/ |url-status=dead }}

Although he was mainly known as a traditional attacker who operated in the penalty area as a centre-forward throughout his career, Van Basten also possessed excellent vision and distribution, in addition to his goalscoring ability, which enabled him to play in deeper, more creative positions, as a second striker, for example, and which allowed him to participate in the build-up of attacking plays and provide assists to his teammates in addition to scoring goals himself;{{cite web|url=http://www.milannight.com/la-squadra-piu-forte-di-tutti-i-tempi/61928/la-squadra-piu-forte-di-tutti-i-tempi-la-prima-punta.html|title=La squadra più forte di tutti i tempi – la prima punta|access-date=9 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140914023404/http://www.milannight.com/la-squadra-piu-forte-di-tutti-i-tempi/61928/la-squadra-piu-forte-di-tutti-i-tempi-la-prima-punta.html|archive-date=14 September 2014|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/1990/01/23/che-tesoro-quel-van-basten.html|title=CHE TESORO, QUEL VAN BASTEN|website=repubblica.it|publisher=La Repubblica|language=it|date=23 January 1990|access-date=9 December 2014|archive-date=14 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141214170028/http://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/1990/01/23/che-tesoro-quel-van-basten.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.pianetamilan.it/campioni-rossoneri-van-basten/ |title=MARCO VAN BASTEN |publisher=www.pianetamilan.it |language=it |access-date=3 November 2019 |archive-date=3 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191103203031/https://www.pianetamilan.it/campioni-rossoneri-van-basten/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/1991/08/07/van-basten-ci-sta-con-serena.html |title=VAN BASTEN CI STA ' CON SERENA E' UN' ALTRA COSA' |work=La Repubblica |language=it |date=7 August 1991 |access-date=3 November 2019 |archive-date=3 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191103203028/https://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/1991/08/07/van-basten-ci-sta-con-serena.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Serie-A/Milan/30-10-2014/van-basten-compie-50-anni-ecco-motivi-che-ne-fanno-mito-90897841816.shtml |title=Van Basten compie 50 anni: ecco i motivi che ne fanno un mito |work=La Gazzetta dello Sport |language=it |last1=Bianchin |first1=Luca |date=31 October 2014 |access-date=3 November 2019 |archive-date=3 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191103203030/https://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Serie-A/Milan/30-10-2014/van-basten-compie-50-anni-ecco-motivi-che-ne-fanno-mito-90897841816.shtml |url-status=live }} one of his most notable assists was the one he provided to Frank Rijkaard for Milan's winning goal in the 1990 European Cup final against Benfica.{{cite web |url=https://www.football-italia.net/103006/day-milan-back-back-triumphs |title=On This Day: Milan back-to-back triumphs |publisher=Football Italia |date=23 May 2017 |access-date=3 November 2019 |archive-date=3 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191103201646/https://www.football-italia.net/103006/day-milan-back-back-triumphs |url-status=live }} Despite his large stature, Van Basten possessed excellent technical skills and ball control, as well as good balance and a notable elegance on the ball, which inspired his nickname. As such, his strong physique, combined with his close control, also enabled him to hold up the ball for teammates when playing with his back to goal.

Despite his ability, Van Basten's career was severely affected by many grave injuries, which eventually forced him to retire from football prematurely at the age of 28. Lack of protection from referees and inadequate football rules against rugged defending and tackles from behind were identified as the source of the injuries which ultimately led to his career's demise; consequently, Van Basten's early retirement due to his injuries led to widespread debate in the football world over whether rash challenges from behind should be rendered illegal in football, in order to protect talented players more effectively.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/2734579.stm |title=A grip on shirt-pulling |work=BBC Sport |date=7 February 2003 |access-date=1 November 2019 |archive-date=1 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191101184548/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/2734579.stm |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/110124-fifa-out-to-eradicate-the-slide-tackle |title=FIFA Out To Ban The Slide Tackle. |publisher=Bleacher Report |date=12 January 2009 |access-date=1 November 2019 |archive-date=1 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191101184552/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/110124-fifa-out-to-eradicate-the-slide-tackle |url-status=live }} During the 1994 World Cup, an automatic red was also shown for tackles from behind or with studs showing.{{cite news |title=Tackle From Behind On Way out At World Cup, Too Late for Van Basten |url=https://apnews.com/4c3e92aa8f880542006118533b6736fb |work=apnews.com |last1=Casert |first1=Raf |date=4 June 1994 |access-date=1 November 2019 |archive-date=1 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191101184549/https://apnews.com/4c3e92aa8f880542006118533b6736fb |url-status=live }} In 1998, prior to the World Cup that year, FIFA completely outlawed the tackle from behind;{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/about-fifa/who-we-are/news/fifa-crack-down-tackle-from-behind-70380 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191101184552/https://www.fifa.com/about-fifa/who-we-are/news/fifa-crack-down-tackle-from-behind-70380 |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 November 2019 |title=FIFA to crack down on tackle from behind |publisher=FIFA.com |date=6 March 1998 |access-date=1 November 2019 }} this ruling came to be known colloquially as the "Van Basten law" in the media.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2000/apr/13/newsstory.sport8 |title=Too much, too young |work=The Guardian |date=13 April 2000 |access-date=1 November 2019 |archive-date=1 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191101184552/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2000/apr/13/newsstory.sport8 |url-status=live }} Although Van Basten was known for often being on the receiving end of hard challenges from his opponents throughout his career, former referee Daniele Tombolini described Van Basten as a player who was known for his physical play himself, and who utilised his strength and committed a lot of fouls during matches.{{cite web |url=https://www.pianetamilan.it/news-milan/lopinione-van-basten-era-il-piu-falloso/ |title=L'opinione: "Van Basten era il più falloso" |publisher=Pianeta Milan |language=it |last1=Bulfon |first1=Donato |date=6 July 2018 |access-date=4 November 2019 |archive-date=6 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191106032120/https://www.pianetamilan.it/news-milan/lopinione-van-basten-era-il-piu-falloso/ |url-status=dead }}

Considered by pundits to be one of the greatest and most complete players of all time,{{cite web |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/capello-i-made-ibrahimovic-watch-van-basten-videos |title=Capello: I made Ibrahimovic watch Van Basten videos |publisher=FourFourTwo |date=10 November 2016 |access-date=4 November 2019 |archive-date=4 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191104234700/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/capello-i-made-ibrahimovic-watch-van-basten-videos |url-status=live }} in 1998, Van Basten was ranked sixth in the FIFA Player of the Century internet poll, tenth in the European player of the Century election held by the IFFHS, and 12th in the IFFHS World Player of the Century election. He was also ranked eighth in a poll to determine France Football{{'}}s "Football Player of the Century." In 1999, Van Basten was named the ninth greatest player of the twentieth Century by World Soccer magazine.{{cite web|url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/TeamHons/HonsWldSocPlyrsCent.html|title=World Soccer Players of the Century|publisher=World Soccer|access-date=1 November 2019|archive-date=4 April 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210404034430/http://www.englandfootballonline.com/TeamHons/HonsWldSocPlyrsCent.html|url-status=live}} In 2004, he was named by Pelé in the FIFA 100, his list of the world's 125 greatest living players, and also placed fourth in the UEFA Golden Jubilee Poll, celebrating the best European footballers of the past fifty years. He was also ranked 25th in a poll for the 100 greatest Dutch people. In 2007, Sky Sports ranked Van Basten first on its list of great athletes who had their careers cut short. In 2016 Van Basten was included in UEFA's All-time Euro XI, while in 2017, he was named the 13th greatest player of all time by FourFourTwo.{{cite news |title=FourFourTwo's 100 Greatest Footballers EVER: No.13, Marco van Basten |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/fourfourtwos-100-greatest-footballers-ever-no13-marco-van-basten |work=FourFourTwo |last1=Hess |first1=Alex |date=26 July 2017 |access-date=1 November 2019 |archive-date=30 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430212755/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/fourfourtwos-100-greatest-footballers-ever-no13-marco-van-basten |url-status=live }}

{{Quote box|width=30%|align=right|quote="It is between Romário and Van Basten."

|source =— Diego Maradona on who was the best player he ever saw.[https://books.google.com/books?id=D56YN5B5zYgC "Ele Nao Se Cala"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330134912/https://books.google.com/books?id=D56YN5B5zYgC |date=30 March 2023 }}. p. 74. Placar Magazine (Edition. 1315, Feb 2008). Retrieved 20 November 2013}}

Numerous players, managers, and other footballing figures have also lauded Van Basten as one of the greatest players of all time. In 1994, defender Pietro Vierchowod described Van Basten as "the absolute number one" and as a "superstar," also adding that "he is strong with his head, good with either foot, capable of changing the face of a game with a single play or, [even] when he is not at his best, of becoming the best assist-provider for his teammates." Former defender Jürgen Kohler, who often faced Van Basten throughout his career, described him as "a player with exceptional abilities. He was a big personality not only as a sportsman, but also as a private person. I benefited from him. It is as simple as this. He was a big milestone in my career and for me he is one of the players who are the most outstanding personalities of the last century. Not only in sports, also as a human being." When asked of their duels, he commented: "the duels between us were simply tough with everything football offers. He stood and I delivered and then I stood and he delivered."{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/0185-0e6a9280d1ba-8c6495f46592-1000--kohler-faces-final-curtain/ |title=Kohler faces final curtain |publisher=UEFA |date=6 May 2002 |access-date=25 December 2019 |archive-date=30 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231030220413/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/0185-0e6a9280d1ba-8c6495f46592-1000--kohler-faces-final-curtain/ |url-status=live }}

Former Arsenal player Tony Adams described Van Basten as the toughest and most difficult opponent he had ever faced in 2006, stating: "He’s the quickest 6 ft 3 in centre-forward I’ve ever seen! Just awesome. He was as quick as Ian Wright, as good in the air as Joe Jordan and he held the ball up better than Alan Smith. I put him in front of Maradona. Technically, Maradona was brilliant and he had amazing feet, but [V]an Basten could head, volley – he had power and strength."{{cite web |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/tony-adams-perfect-xi |title=Tony Adams: Perfect XI |publisher=FourFourTwo |date=1 September 2006 |access-date=25 December 2019 |archive-date=25 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191225155150/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/tony-adams-perfect-xi |url-status=live }} Fellow former defender Giuseppe Bergomi also described Van Basten as the strongest player he ever faced in 2018, commenting: "The best player of all time for me [...] is Maradona, but the strongest player I ever faced was [V]an Basten because at least I could beat Maradona to the ball with my head."{{cite news |url=https://www.corrieredellosport.it/news/calcio/serie-a/inter/2018/11/22-50234858/ho_pianto_per_radice_maradona_il_piu_forte_di_sempre_ma_a_van_basten_e_stato_ancora_piu_difficile_prendere_la_palla/ |title=Ho pianto per Radice. Maradona il più forte di sempre, ma a Van Basten è stato ancora più difficile prendere la palla |work=Il Corriere dello Sport |language=it |date=22 November 2018 |access-date=4 November 2019 |archive-date=4 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191104235334/https://www.corrieredellosport.it/news/calcio/serie-a/inter/2018/11/22-50234858/ho_pianto_per_radice_maradona_il_piu_forte_di_sempre_ma_a_van_basten_e_stato_ancora_piu_difficile_prendere_la_palla/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=CALCIO, BERGOMI: VAN BASTEN IL PIU' FORTE, HO PIANTO PER RADICE |url=http://sport.repubblica.it/news/sport/calcio-bergomi-van-basten-il-piu-forte-ho-pianto-per-radice/4758792?refresh_cens |access-date=4 November 2019 |work=La Repubblica |language=it |archive-date=4 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191104235331/http://sport.repubblica.it/news/sport/calcio-bergomi-van-basten-il-piu-forte-ho-pianto-per-radice/4758792%3Frefresh_cens |url-status=live }}

In 2017, two of Van Basten's former Milan teammates, Demetrio Albertini and Marco Simone, labelled the Dutchman as the best player they had ever played with, with the former stating, "The best player I have ever played with is Van Basten, the best overall. He had elegance and strength. He stopped playing at only 28 years of age, which is truly young."{{cite web|date=23 January 2017|title=Simone : "Van Basten était le plus fort"|url=https://www.goal.com/fr/news/30/italie/2017/01/23/31888002/simone-van-basten-%C3%A9tait-le-plus-fort|access-date=25 December 2019|publisher=Goal.com|language=fr|archive-date=25 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191225160250/https://www.goal.com/fr/news/30/italie/2017/01/23/31888002/simone-van-basten-%25C3%25A9tait-le-plus-fort|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=Bressi|first1=Stefano|date=2 September 2017|title=Albertini: "Van Basten il più forte, allenatori tutti importanti"|url=https://www.pianetamilan.it/news-milan/albertini-van-basten-il-piu-forte-allenatori-tutti-importanti/|access-date=4 November 2019|publisher=Pianeta Milan|language=it|archive-date=6 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191106032124/https://www.pianetamilan.it/news-milan/albertini-van-basten-il-piu-forte-allenatori-tutti-importanti/|url-status=live}} That same year, another one of his fellow former Milan teammates, Paolo Maldini, labelled Van Basten as the most complete player with whom he had ever played.{{cite web|last1=Wahl|first1=Grant|date=28 March 2017|title=Rapid fire with Paolo Maldini: On AC Milan, best opponents, favorite player today|url=https://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2017/03/28/paolo-maldini-ac-milan-italy-baresi-messi-maradona-ronaldo-zidane|access-date=25 December 2019|publisher=Sports Illustrated|archive-date=6 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190906165155/https://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2017/03/28/paolo-maldini-ac-milan-italy-baresi-messi-maradona-ronaldo-zidane|url-status=live}} Another former Milan teammate of Van Basten, Giovanni Cornacchini, described the Dutch striker as the greatest player of all time in 2019.{{cite web|date=11 March 2019|title=Cornacchini: "Van Basten il più forte. Guidolin..."|url=https://www.tuttobari.com/news/cornacchini-van-basten-il-piu-forte-guidolin-77804|access-date=4 November 2019|publisher=Tutto Bari|language=it|archive-date=22 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322041034/https://www.tuttobari.com/news/cornacchini-van-basten-il-piu-forte-guidolin-77804|url-status=live}} Former Milan Vice-Chairman and CEO Adriano Galliani instead described Van Basten as Milan's greatest player ever in 2018.{{cite news|date=11 February 2018|title=Milan: Galliani, Van Basten il più forte|language=it|work=Ansa.it|url=http://www.ansa.it/lombardia/notizie/2018/02/11/milan-galliani-van-basten-il-piu-forte_fa08a9ca-b60a-4e0f-81e1-71ebacbaeb6f.html|access-date=4 November 2019|archive-date=4 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191104235337/http://www.ansa.it/lombardia/notizie/2018/02/11/milan-galliani-van-basten-il-piu-forte_fa08a9ca-b60a-4e0f-81e1-71ebacbaeb6f.html|url-status=live}} In 2017, Roberto Baggio named Van Basten as the player with whom he would have most liked to have played, commenting: "I'd have liked to play with him. He's the player that I exchanged shirts with most willingly."{{cite web|date=24 July 2017|title=Baggio: My heir & penalty hell...|url=https://www.football-italia.net/106237/baggio-my-heir-penalty-hell|access-date=25 December 2019|publisher=Football Italia|archive-date=25 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191225155159/https://www.football-italia.net/106237/baggio-my-heir-penalty-hell|url-status=live}}

In 2019, former Milan coach Fabio Capello described Van Basten and Ronaldo as the best players he ever coached.{{cite web |url=https://www.pianetamilan.it/news-milan/news-milan-capello-van-basten-il-piu-forte-che-ho-allenato/ |title=Capello: "Van Basten il più forte che ho allenato" |publisher=Pianeta Milan |language=it |last1=Bressi |first1=Stefano |date=24 March 2019 |access-date=4 November 2019 |archive-date=4 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191104235331/https://www.pianetamilan.it/news-milan/news-milan-capello-van-basten-il-piu-forte-che-ho-allenato/ |url-status=live }} His predecessor at Milan, Arrigo Sacchi, described Van Basten as the best striker of all time in 2014, commenting: "Marco van Basten remains for me the best striker of all time. No other forward has worked as hard for the team as Marco did at Milan. I above all remember him for his elegance, his grace and his incredible quality."{{cite web |url=https://www.football-italia.net/57977/sacchi-van-basten-best-all-time |title=Sacchi: 'Van Basten best of all time' |publisher=Football Italia |date=30 October 2014 |access-date=4 November 2019 |archive-date=4 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191104235342/https://www.football-italia.net/57977/sacchi-van-basten-best-all-time |url-status=live }} When Hernán Crespo was asked in 2015 who was the greatest centre-forward of all time, he echoed Sacchi's views, responding: "Marco van Basten. He did everything: dribbling, shooting, headers, acrobatics. And he played with his team and for his team."{{cite web |url=https://www.calciomercato.com/news/crespo-marco-van-basten-il-9-piu-forte-di-sempre-179294 |title=Crespo: 'Marco van Basten il 9 più forte di sempre' |publisher=Calciomercato.com |language=it |date=4 December 2015 |access-date=4 November 2019 |archive-date=4 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191104235335/https://www.calciomercato.com/news/crespo-marco-van-basten-il-9-piu-forte-di-sempre-179294 |url-status=live }} In 2019, Antonio Cassano described Van Basten and Ronaldo as the best forwards in the history of the game.{{cite web |url=https://www.calciomercato.com/news/milan-l-ex-cassano-van-basten-oggi-varrebbe-500-milioni-14727 |title=Milan, l'ex Cassano: 'Van Basten? Oggi varrebbe 500 milioni!' |publisher=www.calciomercato.com |language=it |date=2 September 2019 |access-date=4 November 2019 |archive-date=4 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191104235332/https://www.calciomercato.com/news/milan-l-ex-cassano-van-basten-oggi-varrebbe-500-milioni-14727 |url-status=live }}

Van Basten officially left Milan in 1995 and retired from football, stating he would never try management. However, he changed his mind and took a course with the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB). His first stint as a manager was as an assistant to his former teammate John van 't Schip with the second team of Ajax in 2003–04.

On 29 July 2004, Van Basten was named the new manager of the Netherlands national team, with Van 't Schip as his assistant.{{Cite news|url= https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/jul/29/newsstory.sport11|title= Van Basten given Dutch reins|work= The Guardian|date= 29 July 2004|access-date= 17 September 2008|archive-date= 1 August 2020|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200801220830/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/jul/29/newsstory.sport11|url-status= live}} Van Basten's appointment as manager of the Netherlands sparked a little controversy at the time, since he only just started his managerial career and the media argued that he did not have a lot of experience yet.

File:Van Basten Oranje.jpg

After UEFA Euro 2004, veterans Frank de Boer and Jaap Stam retired from international football, while Michael Reiziger retired after being left out of Van Basten's first squad. Van Basten also omitted Ruud van Nistelrooy from that squad, as the striker was suspended for the first two games of 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification and Van Basten only wanted to use players eligible for those games.{{cite news |title=Reiziger retires from Dutch cause |url=https://www.uefa.com/european-qualifiers/news/0254-0d7b478c5212-04fd55a6d476-1000--reiziger-retires-from-dutch-cause/ |access-date=24 April 2024 |publisher=UEFA |date=2 August 2004}} His debut on 18 August was a 2–2 draw away to Sweden.{{cite news |title=International round-up |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/3575478.stm |access-date=24 April 2024 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=18 August 2004}} Van Basten dropped more experienced players such as Roy Makaay, Clarence Seedorf, Patrick Kluivert and Edgar Davids, while sending several inexperienced AZ players to the World Cup, including Joris Mathijsen, Denny Landzaat and Kew Jaliens. Several veterans, including Edwin van der Sar, Phillip Cocu and Mark van Bommel, did make the squad.{{cite news |last1=Christenson |first1=Marcus |title=Van Basten striving for togetherness |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2006/jun/04/worldcup2006.sport46 |access-date=24 April 2024 |work=The Guardian |date=4 June 2006}}{{cite news |title=World Cup Team Checks: The Netherlands |url=https://www.dw.com/en/world-cup-team-checks-the-netherlands/a-1937664 |access-date=24 April 2024 |publisher=Deutsche Welle |date=18 March 2006}} His team went unbeaten in their first 16 games until losing a friendly 3–1 at home to Italy on 12 November 2005.{{cite news |title=Italy fight back to beat the Dutch |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2005/SPORT/football/11/12/netherlands.loss/ |access-date=24 April 2024 |publisher=CNN |date=12 November 2005}}

The Netherlands were widely tipped to do well at the 2006 World Cup, having achieved the highest points average of any team in qualification, as well as breaking their reputation for in-fighting, and having a short journey to the finals in Germany. The team were in Group C, considered the Group of death by international media for also containing Argentina, Ivory Coast and Serbia & Montenegro, the last of whom conceded only one goal in qualification.{{cite news |title=World Cup 'Group of Death' is Tournament's Most Unpredictable Round |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/a-13-2006-05-18-voa60/329432.html |access-date=24 April 2024 |publisher=Voice of America |date=18 May 2006 |archive-date=24 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424172526/https://www.voanews.com/a/a-13-2006-05-18-voa60/329432.html |url-status=live }} The Netherlands were eliminated in a 1–0 loss to Portugal in the Round of 16, with both teams receiving two red cards each.{{cite news |last1=Walker |first1=Michael |title=Holland exit in acrimony as four see red |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2006/jun/26/worldcup2006.match3 |access-date=24 April 2024 |work=The Guardian |date=26 June 2006 |archive-date=8 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210908065741/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2006/jun/26/worldcup2006.match3 |url-status=live }}

File:Van basten huntelaar.jpg during training prior to Euro 2008.]]

In November 2006, Van Basten recalled Seedorf for a friendly against England at the Amsterdam Arena. He denied allegations that he had caved in to media pressure to name Seedorf in place of the injured Wesley Sneijder.{{cite news |title=Dutch coach rejects Seedorf jibe |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/6149724.stm |access-date=24 April 2024 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=15 November 2006}} In May 2007, Van Basten announced the end of his long-running dispute with Van Nistelrooy, who had previously declared never to play for a Dutch national squad with Van Basten as its manager.{{cite web|url=http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/25052007/1/ruud-makes-peace-marco.html |title=Ruud makes his peace with Marco |publisher=yahoo sports |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070629185946/http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/25052007/1/ruud-makes-peace-marco.html |archive-date=29 June 2007 }}

Van Basten had a contract with the KNVB for managing the Dutch national side until 2008. The KNVB had expressed its wishes to extend his contract to include the World Cup qualification route to 2010 World Cup in South Africa. On 22 February 2008, Van Basten signed a four-year contract with Ajax, starting from 1 July.{{cite news | url = http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11913_3183560,00.html | title = Van Basten takes Ajax role | publisher = Sky Sports | access-date = 6 April 2010 | date = 22 February 2008 | archive-date = 7 October 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121007103420/https://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11913_3183560,00.html | url-status = live }} His UEFA Euro 2008 selection was marred by Seedorf refusing to join the 30-man provisional squad unless Van Basten resigned, with Van Bommel having already made the same ultimatum.{{cite news |title=Seedorf refuses to play for van Basten |url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2008/0513/231784-holland/ |access-date=24 April 2024 |publisher=RTÉ |date=6 June 2008 |archive-date=24 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424172526/https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2008/0513/231784-holland/ |url-status=live }}

At the tournament in Austria and Switzerland, the Netherlands beat world champions Italy 3–0 in their first match,{{cite web|url=https://it.uefa.com/uefaeuro/history/news/0254-0d7bf228ae0c-4c0f0150ca38-1000--euro-2008-l-italia-parte-male-l-olanda-cala-il-tris/|title=L'Italia parte male, l'Olanda cala il tris|trans-title=Italy start badly, Holland score three|publisher=UEFA|language=it|author1=Paolo Menicucci|date=10 June 2008|access-date=4 May 2015}} followed by a 4–1 win over World Cup runners-up France.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/jun/13/euro2008.euro2008groupc3 |title=Holland 4-1 France |work=The Guardian |last1=Murray |first1=Scott |date=13 June 2008 |access-date=3 November 2019 |archive-date=21 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151221120453/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/jun/13/euro2008.euro2008groupc3 |url-status=live }} In their third match, having already qualified for the next round, Van Basten selected non-regulars such as Maarten Stekelenburg, Wilfred Bouma and Ibrahim Afellay for the starting lineup against Romania, a match the Oranje won 2–0.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/euro_2008/7363393.stm |title=France 0-2 Italy & Netherlands 2-0 Romania |work=BBC Sport |last1=Chowdhury |first1=Saj |date=17 June 2008 |access-date=3 November 2019 |archive-date=7 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107104539/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/euro_2008/7363393.stm |url-status=live }} In the quarter-finals, Van Basten faced fellow Dutchman Guus Hiddink's Russia. With the score at 1–1 after 90 minutes, Hiddink and Russia went on to win the match 3–1 in extra-time.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/euro_2008/7363505.stm |title=Netherlands 1-3 Russia (aet) |work=BBC Sport |last1=Stevenson |first1=Jonathan |date=21 June 2008 |access-date=3 November 2019 |archive-date=13 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120713134830/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/euro_2008/7363505.stm |url-status=live }} He finished his reign with a record of 35 wins, 11 draws and six losses in 52 matches.{{cite news|author1=Lawrence, Amy|author2=Jongsma, Michiel|title=Marco van Basten: Why stress prompted manager to leave role|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/30854083|access-date=25 February 2015|work=BBC Sport|date=20 January 2015|archive-date=24 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150124001327/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/30854083|url-status=live}}

Van Basten became manager of Ajax after Euro 2008 but resigned on 6 May 2009 after his team failed to qualify for the Champions League.{{cite news|title=Marco van Basten resigns as Ajax coach|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/european/5285475/Marco-van-Basten-resigns-as-Ajax-coach.html|access-date=25 February 2015|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=6 May 2009|archive-date=1 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801221308/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/european/5285475/Marco-van-Basten-resigns-as-Ajax-coach.html|url-status=live}} Van Basten started the season well, having spent millions on players such as Miralem Sulejmani, Ismaïl Aissati, Darío Cvitanich, Evander Sno, Eyong Enoh and Oleguer. However, in the second half of the season, striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar left for Real Madrid, and Van Basten started switching around his lineups. When Ajax lost 11 points in four matches, the Eredivisie title was out of sight. However, Ajax still had the chance to finish in second place, which would have ensured a place in the third qualifying round of the Champions League. Two important losses against PSV (6–2) and Sparta Rotterdam (4–0), however, ensured that Van Basten's Ajax could only finish third in the league. Van Basten decided to resign as Ajax manager at the end of the 2008–09 season. Van Basten subsequently became a pundit for Sport1, but was still planning to return as a manager. He finished his reign with a record of 26 wins, 8 draws and 11 losses in 45 matches.

On 13 February 2012, it was announced that Van Basten would become the manager of Eredivisie club Heerenveen in the 2012–13 season.{{cite news|title=Heerenveen schnappt sich van Basten|url=https://www.kicker.de/heerenveen-schnappt-sich-van-basten-564242/artikel|access-date=26 February 2015|publisher=kicker|date=13 February 2012|language=de|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304134500/http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/intligen/startseite/564242/artikel_heerenveen-schnappt-sich-van-basten.html|url-status=live}} Van Basten led Heerenveen to an eighth-place finish in the 2012–13 year campaign. He then led them to a fifth-place finish the following season, during the 2013–14 campaign. He finished his reign with a record of 27 wins, 18 draws and 27 losses in 72 matches.

AZ Alkmaar announced on 18 April 2014 that Van Basten would replace Dick Advocaat at the start of the 2014–15 season.{{cite news|title=Van Basten übernimmt bei AZ Alkmaar|url=https://www.kicker.de/van-basten-uebernimmt-bei-az-alkmaar-603043/artikel|access-date=18 April 2014|newspaper=kicker|date=18 April 2014|language=de|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304102108/http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/intligen/startseite/603043/artikel_van-basten-uebernimmt-bei-az-alkmaar.html|url-status=live}} On 28 August 2014, Van Basten took a leave of absence for the following match against Dordrecht, with multiple Dutch news outlets reporting he was suffering of stress-related heart palpitations, and was replaced by assistant coaches Alex Pastoor and Dennis Haar.{{ cite news |url=https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/football-health-issues-sideline-az-coach-van-basten-111226443--sow.html |publisher=Yahoo! Eurosport |title=European Football - Health issues sideline AZ coach van Basten |access-date=3 September 2014 |date=28 August 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150226085615/https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/football-health-issues-sideline-az-coach-van-basten-111226443--sow.html |archive-date=26 February 2015 }}{{cite news |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-dutch-vanbasten-idUKKBN0GY16220140903 |work=Reuters |title=Van Basten given time to recover from health problems |access-date=3 September 2014 |date=3 September 2014 |archive-date=1 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201061246/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-dutch-vanbasten-idUKKBN0GY16220140903 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/sep/03/marco-van-basten-az-alkmaar-health-concerns |work=The Guardian |title=AZ Alkmaar coach Marco van Basten takes break due to health concerns |access-date=3 September 2014 |date=3 September 2014 |archive-date=3 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903234232/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/sep/03/marco-van-basten-az-alkmaar-health-concerns |url-status=live }} Later, on 3 September, AZ confirmed that Van Basten was given an extended leave of absence until 14 September. On 16 September 2014, parties agreed Van Basten would relinquish his role as manager in order to sign a new contract as assistant coach until 2016; this was motivated by Van Basten himself, who stated the stress caused by his full-time role as head coach was causing him physical and mental issues.{{cite news |url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/12040/9472668/eredivisie-marco-van-basten-is-to-step-down-as-az-alkmaar-boss-due-to-health-issues |publisher=Sky Sports |title=Eredivisie: Marco van Basten is to step down as AZ Alkmaar boss due to health issues |access-date=16 September 2014 |date=16 September 2014 |archive-date=26 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150226090415/http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/12040/9472668/eredivisie-marco-van-basten-is-to-step-down-as-az-alkmaar-boss-due-to-health-issues |url-status=live }} He finished his stint with two wins and three losses in five matches.

File:Marco van Basten in Tehran.jpg

After a year at AZ, Van Basten decided to take up the vacant post of assistant coach under the new head coach of the Netherlands national team, Danny Blind. Van Basten would work together with fellow assistant coach Ruud van Nistelrooy, whom Van Basten had initially sent away when he was head coach of the Netherlands. In August 2016, Van Basten announced he would be leaving the role to take up a position at FIFA as technical director.{{cite news|title=Van Basten quits Netherlands role for FIFA|url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/12021/10557971/marco-van-basten-quits-netherlands-role-for-fifa|agency=Sky Sports|date=2 October 2016|access-date=2 October 2016|archive-date=3 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161003101820/http://www.skysports.com/football/news/12021/10557971/marco-van-basten-quits-netherlands-role-for-fifa|url-status=live}}

In March 2018, Van Basten travelled to Iran with FIFA president Gianni Infantino to mark 100 years of the Iran Football Federation. After meeting Iranian President Hassan Rouhani they were welcomed by the president of Iranian Football Federation Mehdi Taj at the Tehran Olympic Hotel. Attending the Tehran Derby, Van Basten called for the ban on women entering sports venues to be lifted.{{cite news |url=https://en.as.com/en/2018/03/01/football/1519915098_482323.html |title=Infantino attends Tehran derby but Iranian women hoping to watch the game are arrested |publisher=Diario AS |access-date=27 July 2018 |date=1 March 2018 |archive-date=27 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180727030906/https://en.as.com/en/2018/03/01/football/1519915098_482323.html |url-status=live }}

File:Vladimir Putin's meeting with the legends of world football (2018-07-06) 12.jpg in Moscow, July 2018]]

Van Basten played in the Demetrio Albertini testimonial match at the San Siro in March 2006, and headed in a goal before being substituted early in the first half. On 22 July 2006, he also returned for the testimonial match to celebrate the 11-year Arsenal career of Dennis Bergkamp, in what was the first match played at the new Emirates Stadium. He played in the second half for the Ajax legends team. He entered the match as part of a double substitution that also introduced Johan Cruyff. He took part in Tyskie's (a Polish beer company) advertising campaign with Luís Figo and Zbigniew Boniek.

Van Basten features in EA Sports' FIFA video game series, and was named in the Ultimate Team Legends in FIFA 14.[https://www.easports.com/fifa/news/2013/fifa-14-at-gamescom "FIFA 14 Ultimate Team Legends"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180624175053/https://www.easports.com/fifa/news/2013/fifa-14-at-gamescom |date=24 June 2018 }}. EA Sports. Retrieved 6 February 2015 Throughout his playing career, Van Basten was sponsored by Italian sportswear company Diadora. One of the most marketable players in the world, in the late 1980s Diadora launched his own personalized football boots, the San Siro Van Basten, earning him two million dollars over 5 years.{{cite news |title=1980s Diadora San Siro Van Basten |url=https://footballcollectorsitems.com/football-boots/1980s-diadora-san-siro-van-basten-football-boots.html |access-date=26 July 2018 |agency=Football Collectors Items.com |archive-date=3 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203065905/https://footballcollectorsitems.com/football-boots/1980s-diadora-san-siro-van-basten-football-boots.html |url-status=live }}

After his retirement from coaching, Van Basten became an analyst, and was described by ESPN in 2016 as a "rather cerebral" analyst who "ponders the problems of FIFA and suggests changes to the offside rule."{{Cite web|date=6 June 2016|title=Kuper: Greatest Euro goal ever|url=https://www.espn.in/football/club/netherlands/449/blog/post/2874220/marco-van-basten-and-the-greatest-european-championship-goal-ever-scored|access-date=8 August 2020|website=ESPN|language=en|archive-date=9 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181009013228/http://www.espn.in/football/club/netherlands/449/blog/post/2874220/marco-van-basten-and-the-greatest-european-championship-goal-ever-scored|url-status=live}} On 23 November 2019, while Van Basten was working as an analyst for the Dutch edition of the Fox Sports network, he said "Sieg Heil" (meaning "Hail victory" in German), a verbal salutation associated with the Nazi salute, during a live broadcast. Van Basten stated that he believed his microphone was off when he made the remark, and that it was in response to his colleague Hans Kraay's interview with Heracles's German manager, Frank Wormuth, following the team's 4–1 loss to Ajax. Van Basten said: "It wasn't my intention to shock people, I apologise. I just wanted to make a comment about Hans' German. It was an ill-placed joke." His use of the term attracted particular controversy as it occurred on a weekend during which Dutch football clubs were observing a minute of silence prior to matches in protest against discrimination.{{cite news|date=24 November 2019|title=Former Dutch soccer star in trouble over Nazi quip|work=The Times of Israel|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/former-dutch-soccer-star-in-trouble-over-nazi-quip/|access-date=24 November 2019|archive-date=27 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191127232117/https://www.timesofisrael.com/former-dutch-soccer-star-in-trouble-over-nazi-quip/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=McTear|first1=Euan|date=24 November 2019|title=Hot mic catches Van Basten uttering a Nazi slogan|url=https://www.marca.com/en/football/international-football/2019/11/24/5dda5d8be2704ef4218b45cb.html|access-date=24 November 2019|publisher=Marca|archive-date=25 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191125041040/https://www.marca.com/en/football/international-football/2019/11/24/5dda5d8be2704ef4218b45cb.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|date=24 November 2019|title=Fox Sports analyst says 'sieg heil' during live TV show|work=The Washington Times|url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/nov/24/marco-van-basten-fox-sports-analyst-says-sieg-heil/|access-date=24 November 2019|archive-date=24 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191124231727/https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/nov/24/marco-van-basten-fox-sports-analyst-says-sieg-heil/|url-status=live}} Following the incident, the network described Van Basten's comment as "stupid and inappropriate," and suspended him until 7 December.{{cite news|date=26 November 2019|title=Marco van Basten suspended from TV role after using Nazi term 'Sieg Heil' on air|work=The Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2019/11/26/marco-van-basten-suspended-tv-role-using-nazi-term-sieg-heil/|access-date=28 November 2019|archive-date=27 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191127133107/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2019/11/26/marco-van-basten-suspended-tv-role-using-nazi-term-sieg-heil/|url-status=live}} Electronic Arts also announced that Van Basten's cards in FIFA Ultimate Team would no longer be available in FIFA 20 stating the company has "an expectation that our commitment to quality and diversity is upheld."{{Cite web|last=December 2019|first=Ben Wilson 03|title=Marco van Basten removed from FIFA 20 over offensive comment|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/fifa-20-marco-van-basten/|access-date=8 August 2020|website=gamesradar|date=3 December 2019|language=en|archive-date=17 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200417050046/https://www.gamesradar.com/fifa-20-marco-van-basten/|url-status=live}} However he has returned to FIFA 21.{{cite web |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/us/news/marco-van-basten-returns-to-fifa-21-ultimate-team-following-nazi-controversy-but-jens-lehmann-is-dropped |title=Marco van Basten returns to FIFA 21 Ultimate Team following Nazi controversy - but Jens Lehmann is dropped |publisher=FourFourTwo |date=2 October 2020 |access-date=1 November 2021 |archive-date=1 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211101232839/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/us/news/marco-van-basten-returns-to-fifa-21-ultimate-team-following-nazi-controversy-but-jens-lehmann-is-dropped |url-status=live }}

{{notelist}}

:Scores and results list the Netherlands' goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Van Basten goal.

{{Updated|16 September 2014.}}

• Matches as manager[http://www.wereldvanoranje.nl/profielen/coach.php?pag=4&cid=16 Matches as manager] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304071407/http://www.wereldvanoranje.nl/profielen/coach.php?pag=4&cid=16 |date=4 March 2016 }}. Wereld van Oranje. Retrieved 29 January 2013.

{{legend2|#CCFFCC|Win|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}

{{legend2|#FFFFCC|Draw|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}

{{legend2|#FFCCCC|Loss|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}

File:Vertrek Ajax van Schiphol voor Europa Cup II wedstrijd tegen Olympiakos Piraeus, Bestanddeelnr 933-8034.jpg under manager Johan Cruijff as seen here, along with his teammate at both Ajax and AC Milan, Frank Rijkaard.]]

Ajax

• Eredivisie: 1981–82, 1982–83, 1984–85{{cite web |url=http://www.marcovanbasten.net/ah.php |title=Ajax Honours |work=Marco van Basten |access-date=28 September 2014 |archive-date=4 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180404150846/http://www.marcovanbasten.net/ah.php |url-status=live }}
• KNVB Cup: 1982–83, 1985–86, 1986–87
• European Cup Winners' Cup: 1986–87

AC Milan

• Serie A: 1987–88, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1993–94{{cite web |url=http://www.marcovanbasten.net/mh.php |title=AC Milan Honours |work=Marco van Basten |access-date=28 September 2014 |archive-date=4 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180404150901/http://www.marcovanbasten.net/mh.php |url-status=live }}
• Supercoppa Italiana: 1988, 1992
• European Cup: 1988–89, 1989–90
• European Super Cup: 1989, 1990
• Intercontinental Cup: 1989, 1990

Netherlands

• UEFA European Championship: 1988{{cite web |url=http://www.marcovanbasten.net/nh.php |title=National Team Honours |work=Marco van Basten |access-date=28 September 2014 |archive-date=10 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141110100752/http://www.marcovanbasten.net/nh.php |url-status=live }}

Individual

• Ballon d'Or: 1988, 1989, 1992
• FIFA World Player of the Year: 1992
• UEFA Best Player of the Year: 1989, 1990, 1992
• European Cup Top Scorer: 1988–89
• Capocannoniere: 1989–90, 1991–92
• Eredivisie Top Scorer: 1983–84, 1984–85, 1985–86, 1986–87
• European Silver Boot: 1983–84
• Dutch Footballer of the Year: 1985
• European Golden Boot: 1985–86{{Cite web|title=Golden Boot ("Soulier d'Or") Awards|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/gboot.html|access-date=17 December 2021|website=RSSSF|archive-date=1 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601072653/https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/gboot.html|url-status=live}}
• World Golden Boot: 1985–86{{Cite web|title=World League Topscorers|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/worldtops.html|access-date=17 December 2021|website=RSSSF|archive-date=21 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220721204539/https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/worldtops.html|url-status=live}}
• Bravo Award: 1987{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/bravo-awards.html |title=The "Bravo" Award |author1=José Luis Pierrend |date=8 January 2015 |access-date=20 November 2015 |url-status=live |website=RSSSF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140701223750/http://rsssf.com/miscellaneous/bravo-awards.html |archive-date=1 July 2014 }}
• Onze d'Argent: 1987, 1992{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/onze-awards.html |title="Onze Mondial" Awards |work=RSSSF |date=6 March 2012 |access-date=29 September 2014 |archive-date=24 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924125510/http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/onze-awards.html |url-status=live }}
• Onze d'Or: 1988, 1989
• Onze de Onze: 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1992{{Cite web|title="Onze Mondial" Awards|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/onze-awards.html|access-date=17 December 2021|website=RSSSF|archive-date=24 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924125510/http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/onze-awards.html|url-status=live}}
• IFFHS World's Best Player: 1988, 1989{{cite web|url=http://www.iffhs.de/former-results/|title=FORMER RESULTS|access-date=20 January 2015|publisher=IFFHS.de|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615214702/https://iffhs.de/former-results/|archive-date=15 June 2018|url-status=dead}}
• World Soccer Player of the Year: 1987 (3rd),{{Cite web|title="World Soccer" Football of the Year 1987|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/wsoc87.html|access-date=17 December 2021|website=RSSSF|archive-date=25 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221225023149/https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/wsoc87.html|url-status=live}} 1988, 1989 (2nd),{{Cite web|title="World Soccer" Football of the Year 1989|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/wsoc89.html|access-date=17 December 2021|website=RSSSF|archive-date=20 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230320193452/https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/wsoc89.html|url-status=live}} 1992{{cite web |url=http://www.worldsoccer.com/features/world-soccer-awards-previous-winners-2 |title=World Soccer Awards – previous winners |publisher=World Soccer |date=14 December 2012 |access-date=4 July 2015 |archive-date=31 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141031212723/http://www.worldsoccer.com/features/world-soccer-awards-previous-winners-2 |url-status=live }}
• RSSSF Player of the Year: 1992{{Cite web|title=Rec.sport.soccer Player of the Year 1992|url=https://www.rsssf.org/rssbest/rsspoy92.html|access-date=4 December 2021|website=RSSSF|archive-date=19 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419122244/http://www.rsssf.com/rssbest/rsspoy92.html|url-status=live}}
• El País King of European Soccer: 1992{{Cite web|title=European Player and Team of the Year|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/sam-eupoy.html|access-date=4 December 2021|website=RSSSF|archive-date=2 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202070931/https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/sam-eupoy.html|url-status=live}}
• UEFA Euro 1988: Most Valuable Player and Top Scorer with 5 goals
• UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament: 1988,{{cite web |url=http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/season=1988/index.html |title=1988 UEFA European Championship |work=UEFA |access-date=29 September 2014 |archive-date=7 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007033208/http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/season=1988/index.html |url-status=dead }} 1992{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/euro2024/news/0253-0d7bc692c194-ce0e0f567c1e-1000--euro-1992-team-of-the-tournament/ |title=1992 team of the tournament |work=UEFA |date=17 October 2011 |access-date=29 September 2014 |archive-date=7 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151107174645/http://www.uefa.com/news/newsid=1625178.html#1992+team+tournament |url-status=live }}
• Planète Foot World All-Time Team: 1996{{cite web|title=World All-Time Teams|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/wrldallt.html|access-date=17 December 2021|website=RSSSF|archive-date=22 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200122104208/http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/wrldallt.html|url-status=live}}
• Planète Foot's 50 of the World's Best Players: 1996{{cite web|title=The Best x Players of the Century/All-Time|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/best-x-players-of-y.html|access-date=17 December 2021|website=RSSSF|archive-date=31 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151231035356/https://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/best-x-players-of-y.html|url-status=live}}
• Venerdì's 100 Magnificent: 1997{{cite web|title=Venerdi's All-Time Top-100 (100 Magnifici)|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/100magn.html|access-date=17 December 2021|website=RSSSF|archive-date=3 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203232002/https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/100magn.html|url-status=live}}
• IFFHS Football Player of the Century 12th: 1999{{cite web|title=IFFHS' Century Elections|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/iffhs-century.html|access-date=17 December 2021|website=RSSSF|archive-date=23 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180923101613/http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/iffhs-century.html|url-status=live}}
• IFFHS European Player of the Century 10th: 1999{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/iffhs-century.html |title=IFFHS' Century Elections |work=RSSSF |access-date=22 March 2007 |archive-date=23 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180923101613/http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/iffhs-century.html |url-status=live }}
• Placar's 100 Best Players of the Century 26th: 1999
• France Football's Football Player of the Century 8th: 1999
• World Soccer Greatest Players of the 20th Century 9th: 1999
• Guerin Sportivo's 50 Greatest Players of the Century by Adalberto Bortolotti 11th: 1999
• FIFA 100 (List of the greatest living footballers picked by Pelé): 2004
• AFS Top-100 Players of All-Time 12th: 2007{{Cite web|title=AFS Top-100 Players of All-Time|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/afstop100.html|access-date=17 December 2021|website=RSSSF|archive-date=30 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230530051331/https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/afstop100.html|url-status=live}}
• UEFA Golden Jubilee Poll: #4{{cite web|title=Zinedine Zidane voted top player by fans|url=https://www.uefa.com/newsfiles/171606.pdf|website=UEFA|access-date=24 July 2014|archive-date=24 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024165721/http://www.uefa.com/newsfiles/171606.pdf|url-status=live}}
• Italian Football Hall of Fame: 2012{{cite web|title=BARESI, CAPELLO AND RIVERA ACCEPTED IN HALL OF FAME|url=http://www.acmilan.com/en/news/breaking_news_show/49563|publisher=AC Milan|access-date=20 April 2015|date=26 November 2013|archive-date=8 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160108004626/http://www.acmilan.com/en/news/breaking_news_show/49563|url-status=live}}
• World Hall of Fame of Soccer: 2012{{cite web|title=Hall of Fame of Soccer Mexico and World|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/mex-hof.html|access-date=17 December 2021|website=RSSSF|archive-date=4 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404010305/https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/mex-hof.html|url-status=live}}
• UEFA Euro All-time XI (published 2016){{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/history/news/0253-0d813794a987-97623277ab50-1000--your-all-time-euro-11-revealed/|title=Your All-time EURO 11 revealed|publisher=UEFA|date=7 June 2016|access-date=8 June 2016|archive-date=26 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626232029/https://www.uefa.com/news/newsid=2371381.html|url-status=live}}
• AC Milan Hall of Fame{{cite web|title=AC Milan Hall of Fame: Marco van Basten|url=https://www.acmilan.com/en/marco-van-basten|publisher=AC Milan|access-date=31 March 2015|archive-date=11 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111190824/https://www.acmilan.com/en/club/hall-of-fame/players/van-basten|url-status=live}}
• IFFHS Legends{{cite web|url=http://iffhs.de/iffhs-has-announced-the-48-football-legend-players/|title=IFFHS announce the 48 football legend players|publisher=IFFHS|date=25 January 2016|access-date=14 September 2016|archive-date=24 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190924082150/https://iffhs.de/iffhs-has-announced-the-48-football-legend-players/|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://iffhs.com/dev/legend/marco-van-basten/ |title=Marco van Basten |publisher=IFFHS |access-date=25 June 2018 |archive-date=24 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190324060003/https://iffhs.com/dev/legend/marco-van-basten/ |url-status=dead }}
• Voetbal International's World Stars by Raf Willems
• Ballon d'Or Dream Team (Bronze): 2020{{cite web |title=The otherDream Team XIs: Zidane, Cruyff, Iniesta, Di Stefano... but no Casillas |url=https://www.marca.com/en/football/international-football/2020/12/14/5fd7bc8522601d53598b45b2.html |website=MARCA |date=15 December 2020 |access-date=15 December 2020 |archive-date=15 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201215113120/https://www.marca.com/en/football/international-football/2020/12/14/5fd7bc8522601d53598b45b2.html |url-status=live }}

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• [https://www.acmilan.com/en/club/legends/players/van-basten Profile] at the AC Milan website
• [https://www.onsoranje.nl/teams/185184/speler/8330 Profile] at the Royal Dutch Football Association website (in Dutch)
• {{UEFA player}}
• {{FIFA player}}
• {{Wereld van Oranje|1032}}

{{Navboxes

|bg= #F1771D

|fg= white

|title= Netherlands squads

|list1=

{{Netherlands squad UEFA Euro 1988}}

{{Netherlands squad 1990 FIFA World Cup}}

{{Netherlands squad UEFA Euro 1992}}

{{Netherlands squad 2006 FIFA World Cup}}

{{Netherlands squad UEFA Euro 2008}}

}}

{{Navboxes

|bg=gold

|fg=navy

|title= Awards

|list1=

{{UEFA Euro 1988 Team of the Tournament}}

{{UEFA Euro 1992 Team of the Tournament}}

{{UEFA European Football Championship top scorers}}

{{UEFA European Championship Player of the Tournament}}

{{UEFA Cup Winners' Cup winning captains}}

{{Ballon d'Or recipients}}

{{FIFA World Player of the Year winners}}

{{IFFHS World's Best Man Player}}

{{Onze Mondial European Footballer of the Year}}

{{European Golden Shoe}}

{{UEFA Champions League top scorers}}

{{Serie A top scorers}}

{{Eredivisie top scorers}}

{{Dutch Footballer of the Year}}

{{Bravo award winners}}

{{1989 World Soccer World XI}}

{{1990 World Soccer World XI}}

{{1992 World Soccer World XI}}

{{European Team of the 20th Century}}

{{All-time Euro XI}}

{{Ballon d'Or Dream Team}}

{{FIFA 100}}

{{Italian Football Hall of Fame}}

}}

{{Navboxes

|title= Managerial positions

|list1=

{{Jong Ajax managers}}

{{Netherlands national football team managers}}

{{AFC Ajax managers}}

{{SC Heerenveen managers}}

{{AZ managers}}

}}

{{Portal bar|Association football|Netherlands}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Van Basten, Marco}}

Category:1964 births

Category:Living people

Category:Footballers from Utrecht (city)

Category:Dutch men's footballers

Category:Men's association football forwards

Category:USV Elinkwijk players

Category:AFC Ajax players

Category:AC Milan players

Category:UEFA Champions League–winning players

Category:Eredivisie players

Category:Serie A players

Category:Netherlands men's youth international footballers

Category:Netherlands men's under-21 international footballers

Category:Netherlands men's international footballers

Category:UEFA Euro 1988 players

Category:1990 FIFA World Cup players

Category:UEFA Euro 1992 players

Category:UEFA European Championship–winning players

Category:World Soccer Magazine World Player of the Year winners

Category:FIFA World Player of the Year winners

Category:Ballon d'Or winners

Category:FIFA 100

Category:Dutch expatriate men's footballers

Category:Dutch expatriate sportspeople in Italy

Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Italy

Category:Dutch football managers

Category:AFC Ajax non-playing staff

Category:Jong Ajax managers

Category:Netherlands national football team managers

Category:AFC Ajax managers

Category:SC Heerenveen managers

Category:AZ Alkmaar managers

Category:Eredivisie managers

Category:2006 FIFA World Cup managers

Category:UEFA Euro 2008 managers

Category:AZ Alkmaar non-playing staff

Category:UVV players

Category:20th-century Dutch sportsmen