10 greatest Dutch players of all time

#1 Johan Cruyff (Forward)

Johan Cruyff

The grandfather of Dutch football, very few players have had the impact on a sport quite like Johan Cruyff has had on football. The most famous exponent of the philosophy known as 'Total Football' that gained so many plaudits, Cruyff's legacy is felt throughout the continent, and not only Holland.

An essential component of the successful Ajax teams throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Cruyff won 8 Eredivisie titles, 5 KNVB Cups and three consecutive European Cups. A short spell at Feyenoord towards the end of his career meant he added Eredivisie titles with two different clubs.

Five years in Barcelona in the prime years of his career ended with him as a La Liga winner, but his legacy at the Catalonian club wouldn't finish there. He would return as manager in 1988 to implement a philosophy and style that remains the embodiment of their success in the modern game.

For his national side, he led Holland to the 1974 World Cup final with the Dutch firm favourites to capture the crown in West Germany. Nonetheless, the Dutch came unstuck to their fierce rivals, and the side became known as the greatest team never to win the World Cup.

Retirement in 1983 followed to end a prestigious career. In 1999, Cruyff was named the second greatest player (behind Pele) of the 20th century by the International Football Federation of History and Statistics.