View source for Luc Nilis

{{short description|Belgian footballer (born 1967)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name                = Luc Nilis
| image               = Luc Nilis 23 juni 2023.jpg
| caption             = Nilis in 2023
| full_name           = Luc Gilbert Cyrille Nilis<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.psv.nl/english-psv/news/article/luc-nilis-3.htm |title=Luc Nilis |date=4 July 2002 |publisher=PSV Eindhoven |access-date=22 December 2020}}</ref>
| birth_date          = {{birth date and age|1967|5|25|df=y}}
| birth_place         = [[Hasselt]], Belgium
| height              = 1.83 m
| position            = [[Striker (association football)|Striker]]
| currentclub         = [[K. Patro Eisden Maasmechelen|Patro Eisden]] (striker coach)
| youthyears1         = 1973–1980
| youthclubs1         = Halveweg Zonhoven
| youthyears2         = 1980–1984
| youthclubs2         = [[K.R.C. Genk|Winterslag]]
| years1              = 1984–1986
| clubs1              = [[K.R.C. Genk|Winterslag]]
| caps1               = 47
| goals1              = 16
| years2              = 1986–1994
| clubs2              = [[R.S.C. Anderlecht|Anderlecht]]
| caps2               = 223
| goals2              = 124
| years3              = 1994–2000
| clubs3              = [[PSV Eindhoven|PSV]]
| caps3               = 164
| goals3              = 110
| years4              = 2000–2001
| clubs4              = [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]]
| caps4               = 3
| goals4              = 1
| totalcaps           = 437
| totalgoals          = 251
| nationalyears1      = 1982–1983
| nationalteam1       = [[Belgium national under-16 football team|Belgium U16]]
| nationalcaps1       = 6
| nationalgoals1      = 3
| nationalyears2      = 1982–1983
| nationalteam2       = [[Belgium national under-17 football team|Belgium U17]]
| nationalcaps2       = 3
| nationalgoals2      = 2
| nationalyears3      = 1983–1984
| nationalteam3       = [[Belgium national under-18 football team|Belgium U18]]
| nationalcaps3       = 8
| nationalgoals3      = 1
| nationalyears4      = 1983–1985
| nationalteam4       = [[Belgium national under-19 football team|Belgium U19]]
| nationalcaps4       = 11
| nationalgoals4      = 6
| nationalyears5      = 1986–1987
| nationalteam5       = [[Belgium national under-21 football team|Belgium U21]]
| nationalcaps5       = 3
| nationalgoals5      = 0
| nationalyears6      = 1988–2000
| nationalteam6       = [[Belgium national football team|Belgium]]
| nationalcaps6       = 56
| nationalgoals6      = 10
| manageryears1       = 2007–2010
| managerclubs1       = [[PSV Eindhoven|PSV]] (assistant)
| manageryears2       = 2011
| managerclubs2       = [[Kasımpaşa S.K.|Kasımpaşa]] (assistant)
| manageryears3       = 2011–2013
| managerclubs3       = [[Gençlerbirliği S.K.|Gençlerbirliği]] (assistant)
| manageryears4       = 2018–2020
| managerclubs4       = [[VVV-Venlo]] (assistant)
| manageryears5       = 2021
| managerclubs5       = [[Jordan national football team|Jordan]] (assistant)
| manageryears9      = 2021–2022
| managerclubs9      = [[S.V. Belisia Bilzen|Belisia Bilzen]]
}}
'''Luc Gilbert Cyrille Nilis''' (born 25 May 1967) is a Belgian professional [[Manager (association football)|football manager]] and former [[Football player|player]] who is the striker coach of [[K. Patro Eisden Maasmechelen|Patro Eisden]].

He spent most of his career in his native Belgium and, in particular, in the Netherlands with [[PSV Eindhoven|PSV]]. His playing days came to an end in the [[2000–01 Premier League|2000–01]] season after breaking his leg in a match with his club [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]] following a clash with [[Ipswich Town F.C.|Ipswich Town]] [[Goalkeeper (association football)|goalkeeper]] [[Richard Wright (footballer)|Richard Wright]].

==Club career==
His former clubs include [[K.R.C. Genk|Winterslag]], [[R.S.C. Anderlecht|Anderlecht]], [[PSV Eindhoven|PSV]] and [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]].

=== Early years ===
As youth player, Nilis was regarded as Winterslag's greatest talent. Standard, Club Brugge and PSV Eindhoven showed interest in the stylish attacker, but under the influence of [[Raymond Goethals]], Nilis was transferred to Anderlecht at the age of 18.<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 May 2016 |title=Luc Nilis: genieten van Winterslag tot Aston Villa |url=https://www.hln.be/default/luc-nilis-genieten-van-winterslag-tot-aston-villa~a1e54e91/ |website=[[Het Laatste Nieuws]] |language=nl}}</ref>

=== Anderlecht ===
Forming a duo with players such as [[Luís Oliveira]] or [[Marc Degryse]], he would win several national prizes in the next seasons.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 January 2019 |title=Zulj de 600ste die voor Anderlecht speelde en ook deze mijlpalen staan in geschiedenis gegrift: van Nii Lamptey tot Luc Nilis |url=https://www.hln.be/anderlecht/zulj-de-600ste-die-voor-anderlecht-speelde-en-ook-deze-mijlpalen-staan-in-geschiedenis-gegrift-van-nii-lamptey-tot-luc-nilis~a915d798/ |website=[[Het Laatste Nieuws]] |language=nl}}</ref> Although he was not considered as a very quick football player, his scoring ability and excellent kicking technique stood out. Long, placed distance shots with both left and right feet became his hallmark.<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 November 2023 |title=Nilis, Luc |url=https://www.anderlecht-online.be/nl/stars/50 |website=anderlecht-online.be |language=nl}}</ref>

=== PSV Eindhoven ===
Having left Anderlecht for Eindhoven in 1994, Nilis topped the Dutch scoring charts in the [[1995–96 Eredivisie|1995–96]] season, plundering 21 goals.<ref name = "Eredivisie top scorer">{{cite web|url=http://www.eredivisiestats.nl/topscorers.php|work=EredivisieStats.nl|title=Topscorers|access-date=23 January 2016}}</ref> He continued that form into [[1996–97 Eredivisie|1996–97]] – leading the pack by December 1996 with 13<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=3hYuAAAAIBAJ&sjid=zjADAAAAIBAJ&pg=2734%2C457053|title=Hierro grabs crucial goal as Real Madrid stay on top|agency=Reuters|date=2 December 1996|access-date=23 January 2016|newspaper=The Nation|location=Bangkok}}</ref> – before matching his previous total,<ref name="Eredivisie top scorer" /> in a season that ended with PSV winning the league title for the first time in five years.<ref name = "Loaded">{{cite news|date=9 September 2016|first=Jack|last=Beresford|title=Luc Nilis: The PSV Eindhoven hitman who ran out of luck at Aston Villa|access-date=9 September 2016|work=loaded.co.uk|publisher=Loaded|url=http://loaded.co.uk/luc-nilis-the-psv-eindhoven-hitman-who-ran-out-of-luck-at-aston-villa/}}</ref> In late 1997, Nilis scored thrice in three games over a fifteen-day period, all against [[Shay Given]]; with a goal at [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]] in the [[1997–98 UEFA Champions League group stage]] coming in between goals for Belgium against the [[Republic of Ireland national football team|Republic of Ireland]].<ref name = "Buzz">{{cite news|title=Belgium legend Luc Nilis opens up about the 1998 World Cup playoff against Ireland & our chances at Euro 2016|work=buzz.ie|date=13 June 2016|url=http://buzz.ie/legendary-belgian-striker-luc-nilis-opens-up-about-the-1998-world-cup-playoff-against-ireland-and-our-chances-at-euro-2016/|first=David|last=Coughlan}}</ref> During his time with PSV, Nilis formed one of the deadliest partnerships in Europe with team-mate [[Ruud van Nistelrooy]], who signed for PSV in 1998.<ref name="Loaded" /> In the [[1998–99 Eredivisie|1998–99]] season, Nilis and van Nistelrooy scored 55 league goals between them. Van Nistelrooy finished as top-scorer,<ref name="Eredivisie top scorer" /> Nilis came second. In the [[1999–2000 Eredivisie|following season]], Nilis' last for PSV, they scored 48 league goals between them.

=== Aston Villa ===
After six years in the Netherlands, Nilis joined Aston Villa on a [[Free transfer (association football)|Bosman transfer]] in June 2000.<ref name = "Blind eye">{{cite web|title=Nilis turns blind eye to Villa|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/euro2000/teams/belgium/783793.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=5 January 2014|date=9 June 2000|first=Pete|last=Lansley}}</ref> Nilis' Villa career started well, as he scored on his debut in the [[UEFA Intertoto Cup]] against [[1. FK Příbram|Dukla Příbram]] on 22 July 2000<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/aston_villa/846385.stm |title=Merson off in Villa win |publisher=[[BBC]] |date=22 July 2000 |access-date=5 September 2012}}</ref> before going on to score on his league debut against [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] on 27 August 2000.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/898747.stm |title=James gives Chelsea helping hand |publisher=[[BBC]] |date=27 August 2000 |access-date=5 September 2012}}</ref> In a league match against [[Ipswich Town F.C.|Ipswich Town]] on 9 September 2000, Nilis was involved in a clash with goalkeeper [[Richard Wright (footballer)|Richard Wright]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Nilis injury mars Villa win at Ipswich|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/916607.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=5 January 2014|date=9 September 2000}}</ref> that left him with a double compound fracture of his right shin.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nilis making good progress|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11677/2193524/|publisher=Sky Sports|access-date=5 January 2014|author=Peter O'Rourke}}</ref> At one point, the injury became infected and Nilis even feared a possible amputation.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nilis feared amputation|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/a/aston_villa/1018099.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=5 January 2014|date=11 November 2000}}</ref> This hypothesis was later ruled out, although his playing career was effectively ended.

==International career==
Nilis played 56 times for the [[Belgium national football team|Belgium national team]], scoring ten times. A prolific goalscorer with his clubs, he scored his first goal for Belgium only on his 24th cap (a 9–0 win against [[Zambia national football team|Zambia]]).<ref name = "Int'l profile">{{cite news|title=Luc Nilis|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/euro2000/teams/belgium/743993.stm|date=14 May 2000<!-- visible in "see also" box; third link from top: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/euro2000/teams/belgium/783793.stm -->|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=9 September 2016}}</ref>

Nilis played in the [[FIFA World Cup]]s in [[1994 FIFA World Cup|1994]] and [[1998 FIFA World Cup|1998]]. Qualification for the latter was sealed with Nilis' goals in each leg of Belgium's [[1998 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA play-off)|playoff]] against the Irish Republic.<ref name="Buzz" /> Nilis dropped out of international football after the 1998 Finals, reportedly in response to an "unhealthy atmosphere within the squad and their lack of achievement".<ref name="Int'l profile" /> However, with control of the Belgian national side having changed,<ref name="Blind eye" /> Nilis returned to the international fold in November 1999,<ref name="Int'l profile" /> in time for [[Euro 2000]], co-hosted by his birth-country Belgium and the [[Netherlands]].

==Coaching career==
After his playing career ended, [[K. Beringen-Heusden-Zolder|Beringen-Heusden-Zolder]] were his next port of call, becoming technical director in 2005, not long before the club's liquidation after financial difficulties.<ref name="Loaded" /> Nilis took a job with PSV, first as a scout, and then training the club's forwards. In January 2011, Nilis became assistant manager with Turkish club [[Kasımpaşa S.K.|Kasımpaşa]], followed by another assistant manager stint with [[Gençlerbirliği S.K.]], also in Turkey. In April 2015, he was re-hired by PSV as a striker coach.<ref>{{cite web|title=Luc Nilis joins PSV's backroom team|url=https://www.psv.nl/english-psv/news/article/luc-nilis-joins-psv-s-backroom-team.htm|website=PSV.nl|access-date=8 October 2015|date=17 April 2015}}</ref>

In August 2021, Nilis became the head coach of [[Belgian Division 2]] club [[S.V. Belisia Bilzen|Belisia Bilzen]], which had been founded earlier that year from a merger between [[Spouwen-Mopertingen]] and [[Bilzerse Waltwilder]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Luc Nilis gaat als hoofdcoach aan de slag bij lagereklasser SV Belisia |url=https://sporza.be/nl/2021/08/29/luc-nilis-gaat-als-hoofdcoach-aan-de-slag-bij-lagereklasser-sv-belisia~1630234227547/ |work=sporza.be |date=29 August 2021 |language=nl}}</ref> It was his first assignment as head coach. In the round of 16 of the [[Belgian Cup]], Belisia were drawn against [[K.A.A. Gent|Gent]]. At the end of October 2021, they lost that cup match 4–0.<ref>{{cite news |title=AA Gent heeft geen kind aan het Belisia Bilzen van Nilis en stoot vlot door |url=https://sporza.be/nl/matches/voetbal/croky-cup/2021-2022/1-16-finale/01/kaa-gent-sv-belisia-aa-gent-heeft-geen-kind-aan-het-belisia-bilzen-van-nilis-en-stoot-vlot-door~1632497708313/ |work=sporza.be |date=27 October 2021 |language=nl}}</ref> In addition to his position as manager of [[S.V. Belisia Bilzen|Belisia Bilzen]], Nilis was also hired as striker coach at the Talent Academy of [[K.R.C. Genk|KRC Genk]] on 10 March 2022.<ref>[https://www.krcgenk.be/nl/nieuws/4620/luc-nilis-spitsentrainer-talent-academy LUC NILIS SPITSENTRAINER TALENT ACADEMY], krcgenk.be, 10 March 2022</ref>

In 2023, he was appointed striker coach of [[K. Patro Eisden Maasmechelen|Patro Eisden]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Luc Nilis maakt de overstap van Racing Genk naar Patro Eisden |url=https://sporza.be/nl/2023/06/07/luc-nilis-maakt-de-overstap-van-racing-genk-naar-patro-eisden~1686143028929/ |access-date=14 January 2024 |work=Sporza |date=7 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240114183059/https://sporza.be/nl/2023/06/07/luc-nilis-maakt-de-overstap-van-racing-genk-naar-patro-eisden~1686143028929/ |archive-date=14 January 2024 |language=nl}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Nilis's father, Roger (1938–2011), played as a professional footballer in Belgium in the 1960s.<ref>{{cite web|title=Belgian Legends – Luc Nilis|url=http://thebelgianwaffle.co.uk/belgian-legends-luc-nilis/|publisher=The Belgian Waffle|access-date=5 January 2014|author=Chris Mayer|date=4 July 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140101065851/http://thebelgianwaffle.co.uk/belgian-legends-luc-nilis/|archive-date=1 January 2014}}</ref> His son Arne was a youth player for Genk and PSV Eindhoven but was unable to pursue a professional career, mainly due to injuries and a gambling addiction.<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 April 2023 |title=Interview Arne Nilis: "Ik stond met gokken op en ging er mee naar bed" |url=https://www.casinonieuws.nl/interviews/interview-arne-nilis-gokverslaving/ |website=casinonieuws.nl |language=nl}}</ref>

== Legacy ==
[[Ronaldo (Brazilian footballer)|Ronaldo]] occasionally names Nilis as one of the best strike partners he had played with, despite sharing only a brief time with him at PSV.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sabatina da Folha com Ronaldo - Íntegra |url=http://esporte.uol.com.br/ultimas/multi/2009/05/15/04023762DC812346.jhtm?sabatina-da-folha-com-ronaldo--integra-da-entrevista-04023762DC812346}}</ref> [[Ruud van Nistelrooy]] has also stated on several occasions that the Belgian was one of the best players, if not the best, he had ever played with.<ref name="Loaded" />

Despite the lack of a major international career, the technically skilled attacker is still praised by football fans and journalists in the low countries.<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 February 2022 |title=Top 100 beste voetballers van PSV aller tijden |url=https://www.dutchmultimedia.nl/top-100-beste-voetballers-van-psv-aller-tijden/#google_vignette |website=dutchmultimedia.nl |language=nl}}</ref> In 2020, he was named in the "Best squad of all time", of both Anderlecht and PSV Eindhoven.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 June 2020 |title=Voici votre onze de légende d'Anderlecht: sans surprise, Vincent Kompany et Robby Resenbrink les plus plébiscités |url=https://www.dhnet.be/sports/football/division-1a/anderlecht/2020/06/01/voici-votre-onze-de-legende-danderlecht-sans-surprise-vincent-kompany-et-robby-resenbrink-les-plus-plebiscites-LB34L4SLVFEYNKSEN4CAATCLSE/ |website=dhnet.be |language=fr}}</ref>

==Career statistics==

===Club===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
|-
!rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season
!colspan="3"|League
!colspan="2"|National cup{{efn|Includes [[Belgian Cup]], [[KNVB Cup]], [[FA Cup]]}}
!colspan="2"|League cup{{efn|Includes [[Football League Cup|League Cup]]}}
!colspan="2"|Europe
!colspan="2"|Other
!colspan="2"|Total
|-
!Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[K.F.C. Winterslag|Winterslag]]
|[[1984–85 Belgian Second Division|1984–85]]<ref name="nft">{{NFT|13616}}</ref>
|[[Belgian Second Division]]
|22||5||||||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||22||5
|-
|[[1985–86 Belgian Second Division|1985–86]]<ref name="nft"/>
|Belgian Second Division
|25||11||||||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||25||11
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!47!!16!!!!!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!47!!16
|-
|rowspan="9"|[[R.S.C. Anderlecht|Anderlecht]]
|[[1986–87 Belgian First Division|1986–87]]<ref name="wf">{{cite web |title=Luc Nilis » Club matches |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/luc-nilis/2/ |website=worldfootball.net |access-date=2 November 2022}}</ref><ref name="nft"/>
|[[Belgian First Division]]
|16||5||||||colspan="2"|—||3{{efn|name=EC|Appearances in [[European Cup]]}}||1||colspan="2"|—||19||6
|-
|[[1987–88 Belgian First Division|1987–88]]<ref name="wf"/><ref name="nft"/>
|Belgian First Division
|32||14||||||colspan="2"|—||6{{efn|name=EC}}||1||colspan="2"|—||38||15
|-
|[[1988–89 Belgian First Division|1988–89]]<ref name="wf"/>
|Belgian First Division
|33||19||||||colspan="2"|—||4{{efn|name=CWC|Appearances in [[European Cup Winners' Cup]]}}||0||colspan="2"|—||37||19
|-
|[[1989–90 Belgian First Division|1989–90]]<ref name="wf"/>
|Belgian First Division
|27||9||||||colspan="2"|—||9{{efn|name=CWC}}||4||colspan="2"|—||36||13
|-
|[[1990–91 Belgian First Division|1990–91]]<ref name="wf"/>
|Belgian First Division
|30||19||||||colspan="2"|—||6{{efn|name=UC|Appearances in [[UEFA Cup]]}}||3||colspan="2"|—||36||22
|-
|[[1991–92 Belgian First Division|1991–92]]<ref name="wf"/>
|Belgian First Division
|27||15||||||colspan="2"|—||9{{efn|name=EC}}||6||||||36||21
|-
|[[1992–93 Belgian First Division|1992–93]]<ref name="wf"/>
|Belgian First Division
|28||19||||||colspan="2"|—||6{{efn|name=UC}}||4||colspan="2"|—||34||23
|-
|[[1993–94 Belgian First Division|1993–94]]<ref name="wf"/>
|Belgian First Division
|30||24||||||colspan="2"|—||9{{efn|name=UCL|Appearances in [[UEFA Champions League]]}}||7||||||39||31
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!223!!124!!!!!!colspan="2"|—!!52!!26!!!!!!275!!150
|-
|rowspan="7"|[[PSV Eindhoven]]
|[[1994–95 Eredivisie|1994–95]]<ref name="wf"/>
|[[Eredivisie]]
|30||12||1||0||colspan="2"|—||2{{efn|name=UC}}||1||colspan="2"|—||33||13
|-
|[[1995–96 Eredivisie|1995–96]]<ref name="wf"/>
|Eredivisie
|31||21||5||5||colspan="2"|—||8{{efn|name=UC}}||5||colspan="2"|—||44||31
|-
|[[1996–97 Eredivisie|1996–97]]<ref name="wf"/>
|Eredivisie
|26||21||2||3||colspan="2"|—||4{{efn|Appearances in [[UEFA Cup Winners' Cup]]}}||2||1{{efn|Appearance in [[Johan Cruyff Shield]]}}||0||33||26
|-
|[[1997–98 Eredivisie|1997–98]]<ref name="wf"/>
|Eredivisie
|24||13||3||3||colspan="2"|—||5{{efn|name=UCL}}||1||colspan="2"|—||32||17
|-
|[[1998–99 Eredivisie|1998–99]]<ref name="wf"/>
|Eredivisie
|27||24||4||1||colspan="2"|—||5{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||colspan="2"|—||36||25
|-
|[[1999–2000 Eredivisie|1999–2000]]<ref name="wf"/>
|Eredivisie
|26||19||1||0||colspan="2"|—||7{{efn|name=UCL}}||2||colspan="2"|—||34||21
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!164!!110!!16!!12!!colspan="2"|—!!31!!11!!1!!0!!212!!133
|-
|[[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]]
|[[2000–01 FA Premier League|2000–01]]<ref name="wf"/>
|[[Premier League]]
|3||1||0||0||0||0||2{{efn|name=UIC|Appearances in [[UEFA Intertoto Cup]]}}||1||colspan="2"|—||5||2
|-
!colspan="3"|Career total
!437!!251!!16!!12!!0!!0!!85!!38!!1!!0!!539!!301
|}

{{notelist}}

===International===
:''Scores and results list Belgium's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Nilis goal.''<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=15141|title = Luc Nilis, international footballer}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of international goals scored by Luc Nilis
|-
!scope="col"|No.
!scope="col"|Date
!scope="col"|Venue
!scope="col"|Opponent
!scope="col"|Score
!scope="col"|Result
!scope="col"|Competition
|-
| align="center"|1 || 4 June 1994||[[King Baudouin Stadium|Heysel Stadium]], [[Brussels]], Belgium || {{fb|ZAM}} || align="center"|5–0 || align="center"|9–0 || [[Exhibition game|Friendly]]
|-
| align="center"|2 || 8 August 1994 || Heysel Stadium, Brussels, Belgium || {{fb|HUN}} || align="center"|3–1|| align="center"|3–1 || Friendly
|-
| align="center"|3 || rowspan="2"|7 October 1995 || rowspan="2"|[[Hrazdan Stadium]], [[Yerevan]], [[Armenia]] || rowspan="2"|{{fb|ARM}} || align="center"|1–0 || rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" |2–0 || rowspan="2"|[[UEFA Euro 1996 qualifying Group 2|UEFA Euro 1996 qualifying]]
|-
| align="center"|4 || align="center"|2–0
|-
| align="center"|5 || rowspan="2"|9 October 1996 || rowspan="2"|[[Stadio Olimpico (San Marino)|Stadio Olimpico]], [[Serravalle (San Marino)|Serravalle]], [[San Marino]] || rowspan="2"|{{fb|SMR}} || align="center"|2–0 || rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" |3–0 || rowspan="2"|[[1998 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 7|FIFA World Cup 1998 qualifying]]
|-
| align="center"|6 || align="center"|3–0
|-
| align="center"|7 || 29 October 1997|| [[Lansdowne Road]], [[Dublin]], [[Republic of Ireland]] || {{flag|Ireland}} || align="center"|1–1|| align="center"|1–1 || [[1998 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA play-off)|FIFA World Cup 1998 qualifying]]
|-
| align="center"|8 || 15 November 1997 || [[King Baudouin Stadium]], Brussels, Belgium || {{flag|Ireland}} || align="center"|2–1 || align="center"|2–1 || FIFA World Cup 1998 qualifying
|-
| align="center"|9 || 22 April 1998 || King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels, Belgium || {{fb|ROM}} || align="center"|1–1|| align="center"|1–1 || Friendly
|-
| align="center"|10 || 25 June 1998|| [[Parc des Princes]], [[Paris]], France|| {{fb|KOR}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|1–1 || [[1998 FIFA World Cup|FIFA World Cup 1998]]
|}

==Honours==
'''Anderlecht'''<ref name="eurosport372">{{cite web|title=Football-The Story {{!}} Luc Nilis|url=https://www.football-the-story.com/luc-nilis}}</ref>
*[[Belgian Pro League|Belgian First Division]]: [[1986–87 Belgian First Division|1986–87]], [[1990–91 Belgian First Division|1990–91]], [[1992–93 Belgian First Division|1992–93]], [[1993–94 Belgian First Division|1993–94]]
*[[Belgian Cup]]: 1988–89, 1989–90, [[1993–94 Belgian Cup|1993–94]]
*[[Belgian Supercup]]: 1987, 1993
*[[UEFA Cup Winners' Cup|European Cup Winners' Cup]] runner-up: [[1989–90 European Cup Winners' Cup|1989–90]]<ref name="eurosport3723">{{cite web|title=European Competitions 1989-90|url=https://www.rsssf.org/ec/ec198990.html}}</ref>
*[[Bruges Matins (football)|Bruges Matins]]: 1988'''<ref name="eurosport323">{{cite web|title=Winnaars Brugse Metten|url=http://users.skynet.be/rfcb-web/va-brmetten.htm}}</ref>'''

'''PSV'''<ref name="eurosport372" />
*[[Eredivisie]]: [[1996–97 Eredivisie|1996–97]], [[1999–2000 Eredivisie|1999–2000]]
*[[KNVB Cup]]: [[1995–96 KNVB Cup|1995–96]]; runner-up: [[1997–98 KNVB Cup|1997–98]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Netherlands Cup Finals|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesn/nedcuphist.html}}</ref>
*[[Johan Cruyff Shield]]: [[1996 Johan Cruyff Shield|1996]], [[1997 Johan Cruyff Shield|1997]], [[1998 Johan Cruyff Shield|1998]]

'''Individual'''
*[[Belgian Golden Shoe|Belgian Bronze Shoe]]: 1990, 1991<ref name="Yashin Award232">{{cite web |title=Luc Nilis, icoon van paars-wit |url=https://www.rsca.be/nl/news/luc-nilis-icoon-van-paars-wit}}</ref>
*[[Dutch Footballer of the Year|Dutch Eredivisie Footballer of the Year]]: [[1994–95 in Dutch football#Awards|1995]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Luc Nilis vertelt zijn waarheid, maar houdt de regie|url=https://www.hebban.nl/recensie/luc-wierts-over-de-waarheid-luc-nilis-spreekt}}</ref>
*[[Belgian professional football awards|Belgian Professional Footballer of the Year]]: 1995–96<ref>{{cite web|title=Palmares Profvoetballer van het Jaar|date=11 May 2008|url=https://www.demorgen.be/nieuws/alle-palmaressen-op-een-rijtje~b21f9e9f/}}</ref>
*[[Eredivisie#Top scorers|Eredivisie Top Scorer]]: [[1995–96 in Dutch football#Topscorers|1995–96]] (21 goals),<ref>{{cite web|title=Eredivisie 1995-1996|date=9 March 2020 |url=https://www.voetbal.com/doelpuntenmakers/ned-eredivisie-1995-1996/}}</ref> [[1996–97 in Dutch football#Topscorers|1996–97]] (21 goals)<ref>{{cite web|title=Eredivisie 1996-1997|date=9 March 2020 |url=https://www.voetbal.com/doelpuntenmakers/ned-eredivisie-1996-1997/}}</ref>
*[[Belgian Golden Shoe|Golden Shoe]] Lifetime Achievement Award: 2001<ref>{{Cite web|title=Geëmotioneerde Nilis krijgt alsnog unieke hulde|url=https://www.gva.be/cnt/oid9178/archief-geemotioneerde-nilis-krijgt-alsnog-unieke-hulde|access-date=8 November 2020|website=Gazet van Antwerpen|date=31 January 2001 |language=nl-BE}}</ref>
*[[Algemeen Dagblad|AD]] The Best PSV Team Ever: 2020<ref>{{cite news|title=Het beste PSV ooit: onze experts kiezen de beste elf spelers|url=https://www.ad.nl/nederlands-voetbal/het-beste-psv-ooit-onze-experts-kiezen-de-beste-elf-spelers~af1c0a54/}}</ref>
*[[La Dernière Heure|DH]] The Best RSC Anderlecht Team Ever: 2020<ref name="eurosport3722">{{cite web|title=La Dernière Heure {{!}} Het Beste Elftal Aller Tijden|url=https://www.voetbalnieuws.be/news/515537/anderlechtfans-kiezen-hun-topelftal-aller-tijden}}</ref>
*[[Belgian Pro League|Pro League]] Hall of Fame: 2024<ref>{{cite web |date=5 November 2024 |title=12 Gouden Schoenen en meer dan 3.000 wedstrijden in België: dit is de Pro League Hall of Fame |trans-title=12 Golden Boots and more than 3,000 matches in Belgium: this is the Pro League Hall of Fame |url=https://sporza.be/nl/2024/11/04/12-gouden-schoenen-en-meer-dan-3000-wedstrijden-in-belgie-dit-is-de-pro-league-hall-of-fame~1730737294540/ |url-status= |access-date= |work=[[Sporza]] |language=nl}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.vi.nl/vi/show/id=40053/dbid=12900/typeofpage=40054/sc=690a0e Voetbal international website] – Nilis stats {{in lang|nl}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110717100625/http://www.beijen.net/frank/cvs/nilis-l.htm Beijen website] – CV {{in lang|nl}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20050505002912/http://www.eurosoccer.com/news/00/0923/s3991.html Eurosoccer website] – End of career report
*[http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8084934473300432540 Google Video] – Luc Nilis Compilation
*{{RBFA player|PH_530}}

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{{Eredivisie top scorers}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Nilis, Luc}}
[[Category:1967 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Footballers from Hasselt]]
[[Category:Men's association football forwards]]
[[Category:Belgian men's footballers]]
[[Category:K.F.C. Winterslag players]]
[[Category:R.S.C. Anderlecht players]]
[[Category:PSV Eindhoven players]]
[[Category:Aston Villa F.C. players]]
[[Category:Belgian Pro League players]]
[[Category:Eredivisie players]]
[[Category:Premier League players]]
[[Category:Belgium men's international footballers]]
[[Category:Belgium men's under-21 international footballers]]
[[Category:Belgium men's youth international footballers]]
[[Category:1994 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:1998 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:UEFA Euro 2000 players]]
[[Category:Belgian expatriate men's footballers]]
[[Category:Belgian expatriate sportspeople in the Netherlands]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in the Netherlands]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England]]
[[Category:Belgian expatriate sportspeople in England]]
[[Category:Belgian football managers]]
[[Category:Belgian expatriate football managers]]
[[Category:Expatriate football managers in Turkey]]
[[Category:Belgian expatriate sportspeople in Turkey]]
[[Category:Expatriate football managers in the Netherlands]]
[[Category:Expatriate football managers in Jordan]]
[[Category:Belgian expatriate sportspeople in Jordan]]
[[Category:PSV Eindhoven non-playing staff]]
[[Category:Gençlerbirliği S.K. non-playing staff]]
[[Category:20th-century Belgian sportsmen]]
[[Category:VVV-Venlo non-playing staff]]