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#3 Dennis Bergkamp
Dennis Nicolaas Maria Bergkamp was born in Amsterdam, Netherlands, in 1969. He had prominent and successful spells at Ajax and Inter Milan, before establishing himself as a bonafide legend at Arsenal.
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Bergkamp scored 201 goals in 552 club games, and was known for his ball control, vision, passing range and ability to trick defenders. While at Arsenal, in a game against Newcastle, Bergkamp produced one of the most exquisite turns to set himself up for a goal.
The Dutchman received the ball from his right side onto his left foot. Bergkamp flicked it the other way to his left, turned the defender from the right, and beat the goalkeeper with a cool finish.
Bergkamp also scored 37 goals in 79 appearances for the Dutch national team. He is currently joint fifth in their all-time top scorers' list, level with Arjen Robben.
Dennis Bergkamp's most iconic goal for jos national team came against Argentina in the quarter-final of the 1998 FIFA World Cup. Bergkamp received a long ball onto his right foot, cushioned it and moved it to his left side before smashing home the winner with the outer part of his right boot. The commentary for that goal was almost as iconic as the goal itself.
In fact, Bergkamp scored a similar goal for Arsenal against Tottenham Hotspur a few years before the one he scored for the Netherlands. He cushioned a cross from the right wing in a chop motion and slotted past the goalkeeper to seal Arsene Wenger's first win (3-1) in the North London Derby.
Dennis Bergkamp was a striker with unbelievable grace and skill. His goal against Newcastle was voted the Premier League's greatest ever in 2017.
#2 Marco van Basten
Marcel 'Marco' van Basten was born in Utrecht, Netherlands, in 1965. He is one of the most well-acclaimed and decorated strikers in Dutch football history. Van Basten enjoyed two largely successful spells at Ajax and AC Milan - the only two clubs he represented in his career.
The Dutchman was incredibly prolific, netting 152 goals in 172 games for Ajax and 128 in 205 for Milan. That gave him a final tally of 282 in 379 club games. Van Basten also enjoyed his share of silverware. He won three league titles with Ajax, four with AC Milan and three Champions League titles with the Italian giants.
His exploits with Milan earned him three Ballon d'Or awards, in 1988, 1989 and 1992.
Van Basten produced a moment of sheer brilliance in the 1988 Euro final, volleying home a stunning goal against the Soviet Union.
Marco van Basten had to call time on an injury-strewn career at just 28, though, ending what was one of the most-decorated careers for a footballer. Think of what he could have done had he played for another five or six years!
#1 Johan Cruyff
Hendrik Johannes Cruijff (internationally spelt Cruyff) was born in Amsterdam, Netherlands, in 1947. Cruyff arguably had the greatest combination of intelligence, finesse and physical ability among footballing greats.
Cruyff spent most of his illustrious club career with his hometown club Ajax. He scored 190 goals in 240 games for the club, winning eight league titles and three consecutive European Cups (1970-73). Cruyff also won the Ballon d'Or award three times (1971, 1973, 1974).
He believed that to be the best, one must behave like the best.
Cruyff also gave the sport one of the most innovative and deceptive skill moves. Such was the effectiveness and popularity of the turn that it has since been dubbed the 'Cruyff turn' and is taught as a basic move in football academies worldwide.
Johan Cruyff 'debuted' the move during a FIFA World Cup game between the Netherlands and Italy in 1974 at the Westfalenstadion in Dortmund.
Cruyff scored 33 goals in 48 appearances for the Netherlands. He also managed Ajax and Barcelona in his managerial career.
Johan Cruyff passed away in 2016, but has left behind an immortal legacy for others to admire and follow.
