Born 10 May 1969 in Amsterdam, Dennis Bergkamp learned his sublime football skills at the legendary Ajax youth academy. His favourite player, though, was England international Glenn Hoddle. He made his debut for Ajax in December 1986 and remained with the club until 1993, when he joined Italy's Inter Milan for two seasons. His next move was to Arsenal FC, England, where he has remained ever since.He made his international debut in September 1990 and throughout the '90s was an almost permanent fixture in the Dutch team. He played in the UEFA European Championship of 1992, when Holland lost to eventual winners Denmark in a penalty shootout. He was a member of the Dutch side that participated in the 1994 FIFA World Cup and progressed to the quarter-finals, only to lose to eventual winners Brazil 3-2 in the best match of the tournament that year. Two years later, Bergkamp and Holland had a very poor European Championship, getting comprehensively beaten by England at Wembley in the group stage and then being knocked out by France in another penalty shootout. At the 1998 World Cup, Holland were back to their best. They progressed to the semi-finals, the best performance by a Dutch team in a World Cup since 1978, before losing to Brazil again. Euro' 2000 was Bergkamp's final tournament as a Dutch international and, although Holland progressed to the semi-finals, Bergkamp himself had a relatively poor tournament and failed to score a goal.Bergkamp finished his international career as Holland's record goalscorer, with 37 goals from 79 matches. Six of his goals were in World Cups. Despite never winning a trophy at international level, he will be remembered as one of Holland's greatest ever footballers.
