JAKARTA - Marco van Basten is considered to be one of the greatest players of all time and has won the Ballon d'Or three times. However, his brilliant career was stopped due to injury.
The man from the Netherlands revealed how the injury that ended his career affected him both physically and mentally.
Speaking of promoting his forthcoming autobiography, the former AC Milan striker looks back on his career and opens up about how it ended.
"I was in a lot of pain, I had a lot of pain, the doctor didn't help me with the treatment and my ankle was getting worse", said Van Basten.
"I spend a lot of time on the sofa, can't even walk, not wanting people to see me that way.
"I was depressed, it was a very dark period".
In his book, Van Basten covers up nothing and explains how, after being injured in 1992, he had to crawl into the bathroom in the middle of the night, such as the condition of his right ankle which even with painkillers could not bear any burden.
Van Basten also revealed that he had the opportunity to join Barcelona in 1988, but he turned down compatriot Johan Cruyff.
"I said no to him (Cruyff), it's only been one season since I arrived in Milan from Ajax, and because of an ankle injury I haven't played much", said Van Basten.
"Also, at that time, the best football was played in Italy.
"I want to show in Milan how good I am as a player and the next two years we won the European Cup".
Having coached the Dutch national teams, Ajax, Heerenveen, and AZ Alkmaar, he gave up on this because of the emotional pressure it caused.
"I will never be a coach again", he said.
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