17 August 1995, the saddest day in Milan history
22 years ago, on 17 August 1995, AC Milan had to say farewell to one of its biggest stars ever. The Swan of Utrecht announced his retirement.
Some would argue that 25 May 2005 when Milan lost the infamous final against Liverpool is the saddest day in rossoneri’s history. Milan managed by Carlo Ancelotti ended the first half in a 3-0 advantage only to lose the match on penalties. A remarkable comeback by Liverpool but the red and blacks managed to get their revenge two years later. In Athens, Filippo Inzaghi brace helped AC Milan, again under the guidance of Ancelotti, win the 7th Champions League trophy. A poetic happy ending in a way.
That’s why 17 August 1995 remains the saddest day in Milan history, the day legendary striker Marco Van Basten announced his farewell from football. The great Dutch striker communicated his retirement in a press conference organized at Milan’s headquarters. It was a horrendous day for the rossoneri fans throughout the world, whom he had made dream and enjoy football at it’s most pure form. A tearful Fabio Capello watched from the bench how Van Basted thanked San Siro and waved for the last time.
Van Basted lived a career that allowed him to win everything (except the World Cup with his national team) including the Ballon d’Or. Van Basten was out for two seasons and half, he was no longer able to play because of the recurring ankle problem. After four operations, he decided that it was time to retire, only thirty years old (he had stop playing active football since when he was 28).
The Swan of Utrecht is widely considered the greatest forward ever to grace San Siro. He arrived from Ajax in 1987 and formed the historic Dutch trio alongside Ruud Gullit and Frank Rijkaard. While at Milan he scored 125 goals in 201 games with the red and black jersey wining every piece of silverware possible: 3 Serie A titles, 2 Champions Leagues, 2 Italian Super Cups, 2 European Super Cups and 2 times the International Cup. Rarely has San Siro ever seen a player so renowned for his attacking intelligence and clinical finishing, with a penchant for scoring acrobatic goals.