Monza director Adriano Galliani believes ex-Milan star Marco Van Basten would have won the Ballon d’Or as many times as Cristiano Ronaldo and Leo Messi if it wasn’t for injuries.
The ex-Rossoneri director spoke to DAZN about his career in football and described his close bond with the ex-Netherlands international, a three-time Ballon d’Or winner.
“Milan have had eight Ballon d’Or winners, but Marco Van Basten remains in my heart,” said Galliani.
“He won just three times because he was forced to retire at 28 for an ankle problem. Had he continued, he would have won as many as Cristiano Ronaldo and Leo Messi.
“I still get on my knees when I see Marco, he laughs, but to me, he is like Our Lady. To me, he is the best player I’ve had at Milan and Monza.”
Van Basten joined Milan in 1987 from Ajax but was soon forced to undergo ankle surgery, remaining out of action for six months.
He led Milan to win, among other things, four Scudetti, three Champions League, three UEFA Supercups and the Club’s World Cup twice. He scored 125 goals in 201 games with the Rossoneri, winning the Ballon d’Or in 1988, 1989 and 1992.
After his retirement in 1995, he became a football coach and led his national team from the touchline at the 2006 World Cup, where The Netherlands were eliminated at the hands of Portugal in the Round of 16.