Van Basten had to retire at 28 due to injury but already did more for the Dutch national team than Van Nistelrooy ever did. He was a much more complete player in comparison. He was lethal with either foot, was better in the air, quicker and could score from ridiculous angles whether that be close range or from distance. Anyone who watched Van Basten closely will know what I mean.
At Milan he was playing in a league at a time where catenaccio was the default setting for teams in a league that was head and shoulders the best in the world. Van Basten scoring the amount he did in that period is a testament on how great he was as a striker. The spreadsheet only tells you so much, but the clearer picture and context is always provided by the eye.
There's no argument to be had here and most Dutchies would agree. Even Ruud agrees.
I agree with much of what you say and I don't believe Ruud was as good as him. I am just querying the few notches above aspect.
by 28 Van Basten had
top scored in one international tournament where funny enough he scored just ONE goal more than Ruud's best tournament return. Van Basten has also never scored in the world cup finals!
Was he really that much better in the air? How are you deciding this when Ruud was a beast in the air and I wouldn't say any striker was much better at scoring headers than Ruud? Van Basten best season for headed goals was 9 compared to Ruuds 6 but both typically average 3/4 per season and the premier league has more aerially dominant defenders who are accustomed to playing in the air.
I don't know how you can say he was quicker. It's not like comparing the speed of Ruud with Henry for example. RVN was rapid and regularly outpaced defenders in a league that relies on physical attributes.
Van Basten takes it on the ranged goals, striking with both feet and the distanced shooting.
Catenaccio was on the decline by the 80s.
I agree that Italian league has been the best from mid 80s through to the beginning of the 21st century so fair play to Van Basten BUT their goal returns in Europe were very similar, so it's curious that someone was a couple of notches below another striker but had equal or better goal scoring in the 2 most neutral competitions (neither played in the same European Leagues).