5 greatest Dutch footballers of all time

Modified Apr 29, 2019 19:55 GMT

#1 Johan Cruyff

Johan Cruyff, the Dutch Genius, remains the greatest Dutch footballer of all time. His shooting, passing and dribbling skills were of the highest quality.

He was the focal point of the famous ‘total football’ system designed by Dutch coach Rinus Michels. Later on in his life, Cruyff implemented this football philosophy successfully in FC Barcelona.

Cruyff began his career in Ajax Amsterdam in 1964 and played for them till 1973 before making a move to Barcelona. He won 3 European Cups and 6 Eredivisies with Ajax and also collected 3 Ballon d’Or trophies in those incredible 9 years. Cruyff scored 190 goals in 240 matches for Ajax during that period.

Cruyff won the LaLiga with Barcelona too and left his indelible mark as a player in the 5 years he spent there. He moved to the United States in 1978 and spent a couple of seasons there. Cruyff came back to Ajax in 1981 and won the Eredivisie again.

Cruyff played in only 48 matches for the Dutch National side and scored 33 goals. He led the brilliant Dutch side in the 1974 World Cup and finished runner-up after having lost to West Germany in the final. He was adjudged the best player of the tournament and won the prestigious Golden Ball.

About the author

Subhadeep, an adept tennis journalist at Sportskeeda, has been writing about the sport for seven years. He is known for his exclusive match reviews and opinion pieces, utilizing his MBA degree to tackle them effectively with his problem-solving abilities.

Subhadeep lives and breathes tennis. He watches matches regularly and engages in social media platforms to stay on top of the latest happenings. As a writer, he brings the fan's perspective to his pieces, ensuring his readers enjoy an exceptional experience every time.

Growing up, he idolized Boris Becker, but he now firmly believes Novak Djokovic stands alone as the 'Greatest of all Time', especially considering the 24-time Grand Slam champion's incredible stats. One thing that still puzzles Subhadeep, however, is how Becker's Wimbledon tally might have reached five if not for Pete Sampras.

Speaking of the All England Club, the British Major holds a special place in his heart as he admires its blend of tradition and grass-court excellence. When not working for Sportskeeda, Subhadeep delves into the other "love of his life": football, and enjoys contributing his insights to different websites dedicated to the sport.

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Edited by Sudeshna Banerjee