Marco van Basten wore the number 12 jersey for the Netherlands during the 1988 European Championship primarily because he was initially assigned that number as the backup striker to the team's first-choice forward.
Initial Squad Dynamics at Euro 1988
During the lead-up to the Euro 1988 tournament, coach Rinus Michels had a specific plan for his attacking lineup. Van Basten, despite his promising talent, was not immediately the primary striker.
- First-choice striker: The designated number 9 for the Dutch squad was 23-year-old John Bosman.
- Backup assignment: Van Basten was assigned the 12 jersey, indicating his role as a reserve striker, intended to serve as Bosman's understudy.
This allocation meant that Van Basten, though a gifted player, began the tournament in a supportive capacity rather than as the leading offensive spearhead.
| Player | Initial Role | Jersey Number |
|---|---|---|
| John Bosman | First-choice Striker | 9 |
| Marco van Basten | Backup Striker | 12 |
Despite his initial backup status and the number 12 jersey, Euro 1988 would ultimately be remembered as Marco van Basten's coming of age on the international stage, a tournament where he would spectacularly demonstrate his prowess and help lead the Netherlands to their historic victory.
