Roger Claessen (27 September 1941 – 3 October 1982) was a Belgian footballer who played as a forward. He finished as the top scorer of the Belgian League with 20 goals (along with Paul Van Himst) in 1968 while playing for Standard Liège.[1] He played 17 times with the Belgium national team between 1961 and 1968, scoring seven goals. Claessen made his international debut on 20 May 1961 in a 2–1 defeat to Switzerland and he scored.
![]() Claessen in 1962 | |||
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Date of birth | (1941-09-27)27 September 1941 | ||
Place of birth | Warsage, Belgium | ||
Date of death | 3 October 1982(1982-10-03) (aged 41) | ||
Place of death | Liège, Belgium | ||
Height | 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in) | ||
Position(s) | Striker | ||
Youth career | |||
1954–1956 | Etoile Dalhem | ||
1956–1958 | Standard Liège | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
1958–1968 | Standard Liège | 210 | (124) |
1968–1970 | Alemannia Aachen | 44 | (11) |
1970–1972 | Beerschot | 7 | (3) |
1972–1974 | Crossing Schaerbeek | 58 | (2) |
Total | 319 | (140) | |
National team | |||
1961–1968 | Belgium | 17 | (7) |
Teams managed | |||
RJS Bas-Oha | |||
*Club domestic league appearances and goals |
Due to his lifestyle, he was nicknamed "Roger-La honte" (Roger-the shame).[2] He played for other teams, like Alemannia Aachen[3] Beerschot and Crossing Schaarbeek[4] before retiring from football in 1974.
Claessen died aged 41.[2]
He was voted Standard Liège player of the century by supporters.
Standard Liège[5]
Beerschot[7]
Individual
Belgian First Division A top scorers | |
---|---|
|
UEFA Cup Winners' Cup top scorers | |
---|---|
|
![]() ![]() | This biographical article related to association football in Belgium, about a forward, is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |