Kluivert hits highs and lows

Barcelona striker Patrick Kluivert is one of Holland's most controversial players, but also one of the most talented and is the record goal scorer for his country.

Barcelona's Dutch Patrick Kluivert protests after a tackle by Seville 11 May 2003 in Seville.

Dutch Patrick Kluivert (L) balances the ball on his foot watched by Norwegian Fredrik Winsnes (R) during their friendly soccer match, 21 August 2002 in Oslo. The Netherlands beat Norway 1-0.

No-one is in any doubt about his sporting qualities - but his misadventures off the pitch, have provoked some fiery prose in the world's press.

In 1997, his name made front page news when he was at the wheel of his BMW which was involved in an accident, killing another driver.

A few months later, his name was among those mentioned in a scandal involving other Dutch players and a woman claiming she had been raped, but in April, 1999 he was cleared by an Amsterdam tribunal.

Fabio Capello, his former coach at AC Milan, says Kluivert was one of the few forwards in the world who is capable of single-handedly tearing a team's defence apart.

Quick, technically gifted, strong in the air and with an athlete's physique (1.88 m/79 kg), Kluivert is a defender's nightmare.

Champions League winner

An early highlight in his career was in the 1995 Champions League final when he came off the bench as an 18-year-old for Ajax to score the winning goal against fancied AC Milan.

Ajax Amsterdam's goal scorer Patrick Kluivert lifts the trophy after his team beat AC Milan 1-0 in the final of the European Champions League 24 May. Kluivert scored in minute 85.

This great Ajax side which included his current coach at Barcelona Frank Rijkaard also reached the 1996 Champions League final only to be beaten by Juventus.

Barcelona's Patrick Kluivert (R) vies with Valladolid's goalkeeper Albano Bizarri during a Spanish league soccer match in Barcelona 30 November 2003. AFP PHOTO/CESAR RANGEL

AC Milan had become so impressed with his talents, they brought him to the San Siro in 1997.

However, he was hit by injuries in Italy, slipped down the pecking order and was transferred after just one season to his Barcelona.

The 1998 World Cup provided another high stage to strut his stuff and he scored the late equaliser against Brazil in the semi-finals before Holland cruelly slipped out in the penalty shoot-out.

Barcelona won the Spanish title in 1999 but that was the last significant trophy for the soccer-mad Catalans and Kluivert has been consistently linked with another move although many clubs are scared off by his high wages.

Dutch Patrick Kluivert celebrates after scoring the 1-0 lead during the quarter-final match The Netherlands vs Yugoslavia of the Euro 2000 soccer championships 25 June 2000, in Rotterdam. AFP/TOUSSAINT KLUITERS (ELECTRONIC IMAGE)

He had a superb but bitter sweet Euro 2000 campaign leading the tournament with five goals as Holland cruised into the semi-finals, however, his record was blemished when he missed a crucial penalty against a ten-man Italian side with the final beckoning and Holland again went out on penalties.

Disappointment for Holland for missing the 2002 World Cup was partly relieved with a nervy qualification via the play-offs for Euro 2004.

Back at Barcelona, the team continue to struggle as they attempt to live up to high expectations amidst rumours that continue to swirl about Kluivert's potential next club.