Jan Anna Gumaar Ceulemans (Flemish pronunciation: [ˈjɑŋˈkøːləmɑns]; born 28 February 1957) is a Belgian former professional footballer who played as forward. A prolific goalscorer, Ceulemans was known for his stamina, aerial ability, technique and was also recognized as one of the greatest Belgium footballers of all time. He was also known for his power, imposing frame and natural authority.

Ceulemans was also a regular member of the Belgium national football team, with 96 international appearances, a record that stood for 26 years until it was surpassed by Jan Vertonghen's 97th appearance for Belgium on 10 October 2017; Ceulemans is now the ninth most-capped for Belgium. He still holds the record for most appearances in the Belgian Pro League with 517. Most of his time with Belgium took place under the guidance of Guy Thys. This period saw the Belgium squad record some of their finest results, which include reaching the final of Euro 80 and fourth place at the 1986 FIFA World Cup.

Career

Ceulemans was born in Lier, Belgium. His first of three World Cup appearances was at the 1982 FIFA World Cup, where Belgium beat the defending champions Argentina 1–0 in the opening game of the tournament at Camp Nou en route to reaching the second round. Among Ceulemans' finest achievements was captaining his national side to fourth place in the 1986 FIFA World Cup, scoring three goals in the tournament including a spectacular diving header against Spain in the quarter-finals. His performance earned the nickname "Captain Courageous". He retired from international competition after the 1990 FIFA World Cup; Jan scored the third goal in a 3–1 win over Uruguay but Belgium was eliminated by England in the round of sixteen, with the winning goal being scored by David Platt in the 119th minute in extra time. Jan had struck the post during the game.

Professionally, he stayed at Club Brugge for 13 years, endearing himself to his country when he turned down an offer from Italian club A.C. Milan. He remains the only football player to have posed with the A.C. Milan board for the press that never actually became an A.C. Milan player.

After retiring as a player due to knee injury, he became a manager at KSC Eendracht Aalst in 1992. He won promotion to Belgian First Division and even a qualification for UEFA Cup. He moved in 1998 to K.V.C. Westerlo where he also qualified for UEFA Cup. In 2005, he is back at 'his' Club Brugge where he would be manager for three years but after several bad results he was fired in April 2006. For the 2007–08 season, he returned to K.V.C. Westerlo. He currently lives in Westerlo.

Ceulemans was named by Pelé as one of the top 125 greatest living footballers in March 2004.

Style of play

Considered one of Belgium's greatest players, Ceulemans was a complete and versatile player, able to play anywhere in midfield or the attack. A physically powerful player with a tall frame, Ceulemans had great technique, was a good passer of the ball, possessed a powerful shot, and was superb in the air. He also stood out for his mentality and leadership on the pitch, receiving the nicknames. Fellow Belgium national team teammate Eric Gerets said of Ceulemans: "He wasn't the best dribbler, not the best finisher and not an assist master. He had all three. He was complete."

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupEuropeOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Lierse1974–75First Division15123——174
1975–76291231——3213
1976–7734122121—3814
1977–783214—333919
Total11039117213312650
Club Brugge1978–79First Division34138922—4424
1979–80342954——3933
1980–8132123121113815
1981–8229112020—3311
1982–83331486——4120
1983–84311520——3315
1984–8527174331—3421
1985–8633139741—4621
1986–8728122120113314
1987–8830133295—4220
1988–8928134040103713
1989–9034152341—4019
1990–9133147340104517
Total4061915939361162505243
Career total5162307046381295631293
Ludo Coeck and Ceulemans during a training of the national team in 1977
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Belgium197730
197820
197950
1980113
198153
1982100
198351
198483
198550
1986124
198750
198852
198994
199091
199121
Total9623
List of international goals scored by Jan Ceulemans
No.CapDateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1146 June 1980Heysel Stadium, Brussels, BelgiumRomania1–12–1Friendly
21512 June 1980Stadio Comunale, Turin, ItalyEngland1–11–1UEFA Euro 1980 Group stage
32121 December 1980Makario Stadium, Nicosia, CyprusCyprus2–02–01982 World Cup qualification
42218 February 1981Heysel Stadium, Brussels, BelgiumCyprus2–03–21982 World Cup qualification
52325 March 1981Heysel Stadium, Brussels, BelgiumRepublic of Ireland1–01–01982 World Cup qualification
62429 April 1981Parc des Princes, Paris, FranceFrance2–32–31982 World Cup qualification
73827 April 1983Heysel Stadium, Brussels, BelgiumEast Germany1–12–1Euro 1984 qualification
8436 June 1984Heysel Stadium, Brussels, BelgiumHungary1–02–2Friendly
92–2
104619 June 1984Stade de la Meinau, Strasbourg, FranceDenmark1–02–3UEFA Euro 1984 Group stage
116015 June 1986Estadio León, León, MexicoSoviet Union2–24–3 (a.e.t.)1986 World Cup Round of 16
126122 June 1986Estadio Cuauhtémoc, Puebla, MexicoSpain1–02–2 (a.e.t.)1986 World Cup Quarter finals
136328 June 1986Estadio Cuauhtémoc, Puebla, MexicoFrance1–02–4 (a.e.t.)1986 World Cup Third place play-off
146514 October 1986Stade Municipal, Luxembourg City, LuxembourgLuxembourg5–06–0Euro 1988 qualification
157111 November 1987Heysel Stadium, Brussels, BelgiumLuxembourg1–03–0Euro 1988 qualification
167326 March 1988Heysel Stadium, Brussels, BelgiumHungary1–0 ‡3–0Friendly
17745 June 1988Odense Stadium, Odense, DenmarkDenmark1–01–3Friendly
18818 June 1989Terry Fox Stadium, Ottawa, CanadaCanada1–02–0Friendly
198223 August 1989Olympiastadion, Bruges, BelgiumDenmark2–03–0Friendly
203–0 ‡
21866 September 1989Heysel Stadium, Brussels, BelgiumPortugal1–03–01990 World Cup qualification
229017 June 1990Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi, Verona, ItalyUruguay3–03–11990 World Cup Group stage
239627 February 1991Constant Vanden Stock Stadium, Anderlecht, BelgiumLuxembourg2–03–0Euro 1992 qualification
Key
‡Indicates goal was scored from a penalty kick

Honours

Player

Club Brugge

Belgium

Manager

Eendracht Aalst

KVC Westerlo

Club Brugge

  • Belgian Super Cup: 2005

Individual

External links