[Alf]

Originally Posted by setanta

You do realise that Holland didn't qualify in 86 and lost to West Germany in the second round of 90, in a heated, confrontational encounter. The fact that Van Basten played at all during this period is amazing since he was blighted by a persistent ankle injury that eventually led to his premature retirement.

Anyway.... Fifa World Player of the Year 92
European Footballer of the Year - 88,89,92

I could go on and on.

go on then

[setanta]

Originally Posted by wannashag

go on then

Lol, is that not enough? Forget about honours because I could go on with that for awhile: lets just talk about general play and technique. Van Basten was on another level in terms of balance, strength, vision and dribbling ability. There's no comparison really. True, Lineker was a great poacher but Van Basten would be the one I'd pay to go and see.

[Alf]

Originally Posted by setanta

Lol, is that not enough? Forget about honours because I could go on with that for awhile: lets just talk about general play and technique. Van Basten was on another level in terms of balance, strength, vision and dribbling ability. There's no comparison really. True, Lineker was a great poacher but Van Basten would be the one I'd pay to go and see.

i'll give you dribbling abilty and mabye balance, but not the other two and lineker was more brave, a better goalscorer, and could hold the ball up as good as alan shearer could, so dont say van basten was a stronger player than lineker

[setanta]

Originally Posted by wannashag

i'll give you dribbling abilty and mabye balance, but not the other two and lineker was more brave, a better goalscorer, and could hold the ball up as good as alan shearer could, so dont say van basten was a stronger player than lineker

He was definitely a more aggressive player than Lineker, as well as being the taller and stronger of the pair. The only thing Lineker probably had on him was basic speed and positioning for the easy tap ins but Van Basten added so much to a team in so many other areas, plus his goalscoring record at club level is better than Linekers. Lineker -461 (239) Van Basten -280 (218) And there's not much in it at international level.