1982
Ajax First-Team Debut
Makes his Ajax first-team debut and scores after coming on as a substitute for Johan Cruyff.
Football player and manager history
Marco van Basten
Explore 25 football history records associated with Marco van Basten, arranged by year, month, day and event. Entries may concern different clubs or national teams during the person’s career.
Historical events
1983
Ajax Forward Wins Dutch Scoring Title
Marco van Basten emerges among the Eredivisie's leading young strikers, beginning the run of league scoring awards that defines his Ajax career.
1985
Ajax Striker Among Dutch League Leaders
Marco van Basten delivers an exceptional league scoring campaign for Ajax, finishing 1984–85 as the Dutch top scorer with 22 goals.
1986
European Golden Shoe with Thirty-Seven Goals
Marco van Basten scores 37 league goals for Ajax during 1985–86, earning the European Golden Shoe despite his club finishing second domestically.
1987 May 13th
Cup Winners' Cup Final
Scores the winning goal as Ajax defeat Lokomotive Leipzig to win the European Cup Winners' Cup.
1988
Van Basten Wins First Ballon d’Or
Marco van Basten wins the 1988 Ballon d’Or after spearheading the Netherlands’ European Championship victory, scoring a celebrated volley in the final against the Soviet Union.
1988 June 15th
Hat-Trick against England
Scores a hat-trick as the Netherlands defeat England 3-1 during the European Championship group stage.
1988 June 25th
European Championship Final Goal
Scores a celebrated volley as the Netherlands beat the Soviet Union 2-0 in the European Championship final.
1989
Van Basten Retains Award After Milan European Cup
Marco van Basten receives his second Ballon d’Or after scoring twice in AC Milan’s emphatic European Cup final victory over Steaua București, underlining his clinical ability in major matches.
1992
Van Basten Wins Third Ballon d’Or
Marco van Basten earns his third Ballon d’Or as AC Milan win Serie A without defeat, confirming his standing among the era’s most complete centre-forwards.