"The news is brief -- I've decided to quit as a soccer player," the three-time European footballer of the year told a news conference Thursday.
"I took the decision after speaking to my doctor in Belgium two weeks ago when we realized the situation with my ankle is exactly the same as it was a year ago," added Van Basten, 30.
"When I stand up the ankle feels sore, a bit lame. I can't even play tennis with my friends."
Van Basten began his career at Ajax Amsterdam and won the Dutch national title three times, also helping it to the Cup Winners' Cup in 1987 before joining AC Milan.
His partnership with compatriots Ruud Gullit and Frank Rijkaard powered the Italian club to European Cup successes in 1989 and 1990. The trio also inspired the Netherlands to its European championship triumph of 1988.
Van Basten has not played since the May 1993 European Cup final in Munich when Milan lost 1-0 to Olympique Marseille.
That appearance was part of an abortive three-match comeback following an operation on his troublesome right ankle in December 1992.
More surgery followed but the specialists were unable to repair the damage done by more than a decade of heavy tackles from defenders determined to halt the skilful star.
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