 In the following year's UEFA European Championship, he was an undisputed starter as the national side lifted their first continental trophy, in West Germany (all matches and minutes).In total, van Aerle appeared in 35 games in exactly five years, also being selected for the 1990 FIFA World Cup and Euro 1992.During those years, he formed an efficient fullback partnership with Adri van Tiggelen, also his club mate in the early 90s.