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AC Milan (1988–1993)
His five seasons at Milan made
him a legend. It was coach Arrigo Sacchi who saw
Rijkaard as playing a pivotal role at Milan and
transformed the central defender into a world
class holding midfielder, where the Dutchman's
aggressive and firm style would go on to
influence the likes of Patrick Vieira to
replicate in future years. Playing alongside
fellow country-men Marco van Basten and
Ruud Gullit, Rijkaard won the European Cup
twice (in 1989 against Steaua Bucharest and
1990, against Benfica) and the domestic Serie A
championship twice. He was also believed to have
apologized to Cruijff while at Milan.
Rijkaard's temperament though,
was still in question, as became evident when he
spat multiple times on Rudi Völler during the
1990 FIFA World Cup, which the Dutch entered as
favourites. The Netherlands went on to lose the
match, in a tournament that was marred by a
pre-tournament coach change and an
underperforming squad. Rijkaard's spitting on
Rudi Völler earned him the media nickname of
"the llama", and for Völler accusations of
racism. |
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