Ruud Gullit was one of the most complete footballers of his age, a powerful, dreadlocked Dutchman who could dominate a match from almost any position across midfield or attack. Athletic, technically gifted and blessed with vision, he combined physical strength with genuine elegance.
He starred at PSV Eindhoven before joining Milan, where he was central to the great side of the late 1980s, winning the Ballon d’Or and multiple European Cups. As captain he lifted the European Championship with the Netherlands in 1988, scoring in the final, and he stood as a symbol of Dutch football at its most sophisticated and assured.