Roger Claessen

Roger Claessen (27 September 1941 – 3 October 1982) was a Belgian football player 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 Belgian national team between 1961 and 1968, scoring 7 goals. Claessen made his international debut on 20 May 1961 in a 2–1 defeat to Switzerland and he scored. He was a strong header.

Roger Claessen

Personal information
Full name	Roger Claessen
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 1⁄2 in)
Position(s)	Striker
Youth career
1954–1956	Etoile Dalhem
1956–1958	Standard de Liège
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1958–1968	Standard de 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
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Due to his lifestyle, the rest of his career was marred, and 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.

He was voted Standard de Liège player of the century by supporters.