Van Basten gives thoughts on Leao and recalls the perfect 'amalgam' at Milan

Marco van Basten has likened Rafael Leao to one of his former team-mates while he looked back at a couple of his best memories as an AC Milan player.

Van Basten needs little introduction given that he is regarded as one of the greatest strikers of all time, having scored over 300 goals in an illustrious career with Ajax and Milan before being forced to return earlier due to injury.

The Dutchman spoke during an interview with Pellegatti in a video for his YouTube channel together with his compatriots Franck Rijkaard and Ruud Gullit.

How does it make you feel that you are still held in such high regard by Milan fans to this day?

“It’s the same thing for me too. We were lucky to have found a great club, a great stadium, a great team, a great president but above all great players. Defenders like Maldini, Baresi, Costacurta, Tassotti… Italians and Dutch together they created a very particular and strong group.

“We managed to win a lot around the world, in Italy and in Europe. I think we can only be happy and grateful towards the other players for having found such an amalgam.”

What is a goal that you remember with pleasure?

“It’s not just a goal, when you win in Tokyo, when you win in Barcelona, when you win in Italy… When you score goals and win matches like this it brings joy not only to the player who scores but also to the whole team, the club and the fans. We have had a great time with great joy. We were lucky to have a group like that.”

A thought on Rafa Leao?

“For me, Leao is a great player, he’s a bit like Ruud [Gullit]. Except that to get to Ruud’s level he still has to play a few more games (smiles). He also has class, but Ruud also won a Ballon d’Or and won a lot with the national team and other clubs. This still takes some time.”