Daniel Van Buyten (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈdaːnijɛl vɑm ˈbœytə(n)];^[3] born 7 February 1978) is a Belgian former footballer who played as a centre back. Nicknamed "Big Dan",^[4] Van Buyten was known for his uncompromising style of play, exploiting both his physical strength and aerial ability.

Beginning at Charleroi as a striker, Van Buyten's career took off when he converted to a centre back, playing for a series of top flight clubs, including Marseille, Manchester City, Hamburger SV and Bayern Munich. Throughout his career, Van Buyten was also a regular starter for the Belgium national team, amassing 83 caps in an international career that spanned 13 years and which included participation at two FIFA World Cups.

Van Buyten became the first-ever Belgian winner of the UEFA Champions League when Bayern Munich claimed the European crown in 2013.^[5]

Van Buyten was called up to the national team in 2001 and received his first cap for Belgium on 28 February 2001 against San Marino in a 2002 FIFA World Cup qualifying match,^[31] starting in a 10–1 thrashing of the nation.^[32] His first goal for the national team came in just his second cap, heading home the equalizing goal in a 2–2 draw with Scotland on 24 March 2001, earning a crucial point for ten-man Belgium in World Cup qualifying.^[33]

After good performances with Marseille in France, the young defender was included in the 23-man roster for the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan.^[34] He played the full game in Belgium's opening match of the tournament, a 2–2 draw with co-hosts Japan on 4 June.^[35] In the second group match, Belgium stuttered to a surprising 1–1 draw with Tunisia on 10 June while Van Buyten booked for the Belgians.^[36] Van Buyten helped Belgium pick up their first win of the tournament and in doing so progression to the knockout stage, stopping a late flurry from Russia to secure a 3–2 victory.^[37] Finishing as runners-up in the group, Belgium were dealt a tough draw with four-time champions Brazil. Despite a valiant effort, Van Buyten and the Belgians bowed out in the round of 16 as the duo of Rivaldo and Ronaldo led Brazil to a 2–0 win.^[38] The South Americans would eventually be crowned champions with a defeat of Germany in the final on 30 June by the same scoreline.^[39]

Following Belgium's impressive display at the World Cup in Japan and South Korea, much was expected of the small nation in the qualifying phase of the UEFA Euro 2004 tournament and the country was placed in Pot A amongst the best teams in the European federation. Van Buyten played in all eight qualifying games for the national team^[40] but Belgium failed to make it to the final tournament, missing out on second spot in the group to Croatia on the head-to-head rule.^[41]

On 11 February 2009, he scored a rare double as the Belgians sunk Slovenia 2–0 in a friendly match.^[42] Seven months later, on 9 September, Van Buyten notched Belgium's only goal as Belgium slumped to a disappointing 2–1 defeat to lowly Armenia in FIFA World Cup qualifying.^[43] The loss meant that Belgium lost any hope of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, with head coach Franky Vercauteren resigning minutes after final whistle.^[44]

For Euro 2012 qualification, Belgium were placed in Group A with the likes of Germany, Turkey and Austria.^[45] The defender netted a brace away to Turkey on 7 September 2010, but despite his best efforts, Belgium fell to a 3–2 loss as captain Vincent Kompany was sent off for two bookable offenses.^[46]

Van Buyten was once again an integral member for the Belgians in yet another qualifying campaign, featuring in seven of the ten qualifying matches for the country.^[47] Belgium narrowly missed out in qualifying for the playoff-round, finishing two points behind Turkey with a 3–1 loss to Germany in the final qualifying round game on 11 October 2011.^[48]

In 2014 World Cup qualifying, the veteran defender made five appearances as Belgium reached its first tournament in 12 years.^[49]

On 13 May 2014, Van Buyten was named in Belgium's squad for the 2014 World Cup, in Brazil.^[50] He was the only player in the squad who had played at a major tournament before.^[51] At the age of 36, him and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois were the only Belgian players to play every minute of every match until they were defeated by Argentina in the quarter-finals.^[52]

Van Buyten's father, Franz, was a popular Belgian catcher/wrestler in Europe from 1960 to 1980.^[53] His mother, Renate, is German.^{[citation needed]}

While he was with Manchester City, he, along with players Djamel Belmadi and Matías Vuoso, were the victims of theft perpetrated by two bankers. In January 2006, the bank workers, Paul Sherwood, a cashier, and Paul Hanley, his supervisor, were jailed for 32 months and 12 months respectively.^[54][55]