Marco van Basten is a retired Dutch footballer, widely regarded as one of the greatest strikers in the history of the sport. Born on October 31, 1964, in Utrecht, Netherlands, he began his professional career with FC Utrecht before moving to AFC Ajax, where he won several domestic titles and the UEFA Champions League. Van Basten is best known for his time with the Netherlands national team, where he played a key role in their victory at the 1988 UEFA European Championship. He was celebrated for his exceptional technical skills, powerful shots, and acrobatic goals, earning him the Ballon d'Or three times during his career.