|
FACTFILE
|
| Born: |
28 Feb 1957 |
| Caps: |
96 |
| Goals: |
23 |
|
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|
WORLD
CUP FACTFILE
|
4th
place
1986
Participated
1982, 1986, 1990
Games/Goals
16/4
|
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|
Jan
Ceulemans
(Belgium)
Jan Ceulemans,
born in Lierse, is regarded as one of the best players in Europe of his generation. Having
started with his local club, he moved to Club Bruges in 1978 where he stayed for thirteen
years until he retired. In the meantime he won three league championships and was voted
Belgian Player of the Year three times as well.
He made his debut for the national team in 1977 and
three years later he was impressive when Belgium came runners-up to West Germany in
the European Championship. Ceulemans was a workhorse and his tireless running in midfield
combined with his long legs made him able to cover lots of ground. He could run fast with
the ball at his feet and was good in the air as well. He was very skillful despite being tall
(6’3”/191cm) and scored many goals after beating a man or two.
Belgium reached the second phase in the World Cup of
1982 and Ceulemans is remembered by many for running 80 yards with the ball before
passing to a teammate who scored against Hungary in the first round. However, it was not
until four years later in Mexico that Jan really shone on soccer’s greatest stage. He captained
Belgium to the semifinals where Maradona and Argentina proved to be too strong.
Ceulemans had a great tournament and scored three goals. His diving header in the
quarterfinal against Spain was a beauty.
At 33, he appeared in his third and last World Cup in
Italy in 1990. Neither Jan or the Belgian team reached the level of 1986, but their exit could
have been easier to deal with than David Platt’s 119th minute extra-time winner in the
second round match against England. Ceulemans said farewell to the national team and
retired from professional soccer the following year having won a Belgian record of 96 caps.
| HOME
| 1982 | 1986
| 1990 |
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