Marc Overmars
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Marc Overmars (born March 29, 1973) is a former a Dutch football player. He was best known as a left-footed winger. Known for his great speed and blitzes into enemy territory, Overmars' nicknames included "the Roadrunner" or simply "meep-meep."
In all, Overmars played 87 games for the Dutch national team, scoring 17 goals. His final match was the Netherlands' loss to Portugal in the semifinals of the 2004 European Championships.
Overmars first joined a small Dutch club called SV Epe before joining Go Ahead Eagles. Willem II Tilburg later bought him from Go Ahead Eagles for ₤200 000 and during the 1991/1992 season, AFC Ajax Amsterdam bought him. In 1993, he made his debut in the Dutch national team against Turkey.
Marc Overmars became famous with Ajax under Louis van Gaal. He was the member of the Ajax team that won the European Cup in 1995 against AC Milan of Italy. Soon after 1995, he left Ajax for Arsenal FC of England. It was at the London club that his talents were demonstrated with utmost skill, scoring vital goals and assisted compatriot footballer, Dennis Bergkamp on many goalscoring opportunities. In the World Cup 1998, he was a regular fixture for Holland where he assisted his nation to qualify for the ultimate showdown with Brazil. In the summer of 2000, he moved to Spain and joined FC Barcelona. Barcelona paid Arsenal ₤25 million for Overmars' service.
Unfortunately for the former Arsenal star, he failed to inspire FC Barcelona to any sort of domestic or European trophy success although the Catalan team did regularly feature in the Champions League. Nevertheless in what would prove to be his swansong year in the Euro 2004 tournament in Portugal, he was one of the best Dutch players in the tournament although the title was never meant for his team.
On July 26th, 2004, he announced his retirement from football due to injuries.de:Marc Overmars nl:Marc Overmars sv:Marc Overmars es:Marc Overmars