jumped higher or ran faster , and he could also read the game from many different positions . Though less refined than his contemporary Marco van Basten , he was no slouch on the ball either .
At sixteen , Gullit was already a regular starter for little Haarlem . Charismatic as a film star , often drawing awed stares from opponents , he became Holland ’ s captain early in his career . In 1987 Milan bought him from PSV Eindhoven for a world record transfer fee . That year he was named European Player of the Year , and after some prompting , dedicated his prize to the imprisoned Nelson Mandela .
His first season with Milan produced an Italian title , and at the European Championship of 1988 immediately afterward , though worn out and below his best , he helped Holland to the country ’ s first-ever prize . He added the European Cups of 1989 and 1990 with Milan .
But like most good Dutch players , Gullit liked a good quarrel . In every team he needed to be the main man . Before the World Cup of 1990 , he forced out Holland ' s manager . During the tournament , he quarreled with the team ' s new