The Barcelona forward has so far enjoyed a textbook career -- even if there are clouds, however fleeting, appearing on the horizon.

He was eight years old when he joined Ajax Amsterdam and made his first team debut at the age of 18 in 1994, scoring in a Supercup match against Feyenoord.

On May 25, 1994 Kluivert experienced probably the high point of his career, scoring the only goal in Ajax's Champions League final victory over AC Milan.

Six months later he made his international debut and got his first goal for his country in his second appearance against Malta.

He scored twice in a 1995 European Championship playoff against Ireland to book his side's place at the following year's tournament in England.

After winning two Dutch championships, two national super cups and the Champions League he left Ajax in 1997 to join AC Milan but the move did not work out.

With only six goals in 27 league matches he moved to Barcelona the following year where he was reunited with his former Ajax coach Louis van Gaal.

Kluivert won the European Super Cup in 1998 and the Spanish title in 1999, scoring 80 league goals in his first five seasons with Barcelona.

But despite averaging 16 league goals a season Kluivert never became the undisputed hero in Spain.

Kluivert played in the 1996 European Championship and 1998 World Cup, where he got off to a dramatic start by being sent off in the opening match against Belgium.

But he soon found his form scoring the opening goal in the 2-1 quarter-final victory over Argentina and the equaliser in the semi-final defeat by Brazil.

Kluivert was joint top scorer at Euro 2000 with five goals, including a hat-trick in the quarter-final against Yugoslavia and a missed penalty in the dramatic semi-final defeat by Italy.

His ability has never been questioned, but at the moment his future at Barcelona is a little uncertain.

He says he has no plans to leave the Catalan club following the warm reception he was given by fans during his side's 2-1 victory over Real Betis at the Nou Camp earlier this month and that appeared to end speculation that he wanted a move because of continued criticism from Barca supporters.

Whether he stays or not is still open to doubt, but if he does decide to go, there will be no shortage of takers for one of Europe's great players.