‹ All XIs
The national collection · NED
Netherlands
A team across generations. Build your eleven, then explore the careers.
Women’s collection · Netherlands
Report an error
A team across generations
0 / 11
Drag a position anywhere and the label updates live. Tap a name to fill the open spot, tap ✕ to free a position.
The 330 on the pitch
The duels
Pick the greater legend. Every vote moves the people's ranking of Netherlands.
VS
The 33 of Netherlands.
Editorial order, with a career scene and sources behind every name.
01
Johan Cruyff 48 caps (Netherlands) · 33 goals · AFC Ajax, FC Barcelona · 3× Ballon d'OrDortmund, 19 June 1974: he showed Jan Olsson the ball, dragged it behind his standing leg and turned away, and the move has carried his name ever since.
CAM1966–1977
Johan Cruyff 48 caps (Netherlands) · 33 goals · AFC Ajax, FC Barcelona · 3× Ballon d'OrDortmund, 19 June 1974: he showed Jan Olsson the ball, dragged it behind his standing leg and turned away, and the move has carried his name ever since.
CAM1966–1977
02
Marco van Basten 58 caps (Netherlands) · 24 goals · AFC Ajax, AC Milan · 3× Ballon d'Or
ST1983–1992
Marco van Basten 58 caps (Netherlands) · 24 goals · AFC Ajax, AC Milan · 3× Ballon d'Or
ST1983–1992
04
FR
Frank Rijkaard 73 caps (Netherlands) · AFC Ajax, Real ZaragozaAn elegant yet imposing figure, Rijkaard was a defensive lynchpin for both AC Milan and Ajax, winning the Euros in 1988 and dominating as a centre-back or defensive midfielder.
CB1981–1994
05
DB
Dennis Bergkamp 79 caps (Netherlands) · 37 goals · AFC Ajax, Inter MilanThe epitome of grace and precision, his elegant first touch, mesmerising control, and exquisite finishing skills made him an Arsenal legend and one of football's great artists.
SS1990–2000
08
CS
Clarence Seedorf 87 caps (Netherlands) · 11 goals · AFC Ajax, Real Madrid Club de Fútbol
CM1994–2008
09
Johan Neeskens 49 caps (Netherlands) · 17 goals · AFC Ajax, FC BarcelonaThe beating heart of Total Football, his relentless energy and box-to-box prowess drove Ajax, Barcelona, and the Dutch national team to multiple finals in the 1970s.
CM1970–1981
Johan Neeskens 49 caps (Netherlands) · 17 goals · AFC Ajax, FC BarcelonaThe beating heart of Total Football, his relentless energy and box-to-box prowess drove Ajax, Barcelona, and the Dutch national team to multiple finals in the 1970s.
CM1970–1981
12
Arie Haan 35 caps (Netherlands) · 6 goals · AFC Ajax, R.S.C. AnderlechtOn 21 June 1978 in Buenos Aires he struck from thirty-five yards past Dino Zoff, the goal that beat Italy and carried the Netherlands into a second straight World Cup final.
CM1972–1980
Arie Haan 35 caps (Netherlands) · 6 goals · AFC Ajax, R.S.C. AnderlechtOn 21 June 1978 in Buenos Aires he struck from thirty-five yards past Dino Zoff, the goal that beat Italy and carried the Netherlands into a second straight World Cup final.
CM1972–1980
14
JS
Jaap Stam 67 caps (Netherlands) · PSV Eindhoven, Manchester UnitedA physically dominant centre-back, Stam was a formidable presence at the heart of Manchester United's historic treble-winning defence in 1999.
CB1996–2004
15
Robin van Persie 102 caps (Netherlands) · 50 goals · Feyenoord Rotterdam, ArsenalThe Netherlands' all-time leading scorer, his acrobatic volleys and devastating left foot produced countless spectacular goals for Arsenal, Manchester United, and his national team.
SS2005–2017
Robin van Persie 102 caps (Netherlands) · 50 goals · Feyenoord Rotterdam, ArsenalThe Netherlands' all-time leading scorer, his acrobatic volleys and devastating left foot produced countless spectacular goals for Arsenal, Manchester United, and his national team.
SS2005–2017
16
Ruud Krol 83 caps (Netherlands) · AFC Ajax, SSC NapoliAn intelligent defender integral to Ajax's 'Total Football' era, Krol showcased his versatility and leadership in the 1974 and 1978 World Cup finals.
CB1969–1983
Ruud Krol 83 caps (Netherlands) · AFC Ajax, SSC NapoliAn intelligent defender integral to Ajax's 'Total Football' era, Krol showcased his versatility and leadership in the 1974 and 1978 World Cup finals.
CB1969–1983
17
Rv
Ruud van Nistelrooy 70 caps (Netherlands) · 35 goals · FC Den Bosch, Manchester UnitedA clinical No. 9, Ruud van Nistelrooy terrorised defences for Manchester United and Real Madrid, becoming a prolific Champions League scorer.
ST1998–2011
19
Wim Suurbier 60 caps (Netherlands) · AFC Ajax, FC MetzA marauding full-back in Ajax's 'Total Football' dynasty, he played in both the 1974 and 1978 World Cup finals.
RB1966–1978
Wim Suurbier 60 caps (Netherlands) · AFC Ajax, FC MetzA marauding full-back in Ajax's 'Total Football' dynasty, he played in both the 1974 and 1978 World Cup finals.
RB1966–1978
20
ED
Edgar Davids 74 caps (Netherlands) · AFC Ajax, JuventusThe iconic 'Pitbull' powered Ajax to the 1995 Champions League before bossing the midfield for Juventus with his relentless energy and technical brilliance.
CDM1994–2010
21
Memphis Depay 108 (as of 4 October 2026) caps (Netherlands) · 55 (as of 4 October 2026) goals · PSV Eindhoven, Olympique Lyonnais
ST2013–
Memphis Depay 108 (as of 4 October 2026) caps (Netherlands) · 55 (as of 4 October 2026) goals · PSV Eindhoven, Olympique Lyonnais
ST2013–
24
Jan van Beveren 32 caps (Netherlands) · Sparta Rotterdam, PSV EindhovenThough much admired for his shot-stopping ability at PSV, this agile 'keeper's national career was unfortunately limited despite his club heroics.
GK1967–1977
Jan van Beveren 32 caps (Netherlands) · Sparta Rotterdam, PSV EindhovenThough much admired for his shot-stopping ability at PSV, this agile 'keeper's national career was unfortunately limited despite his club heroics.
GK1967–1977
27
Piet Keizer 34 caps (Netherlands) · 11 goals · AFC AjaxAn elegant and influential left winger, he formed a devastating partnership with Johan Cruyff, helping Ajax secure three consecutive European Cups in the early 1970s.
LM1962–1974
Piet Keizer 34 caps (Netherlands) · 11 goals · AFC AjaxAn elegant and influential left winger, he formed a devastating partnership with Johan Cruyff, helping Ajax secure three consecutive European Cups in the early 1970s.
LM1962–1974
28
Sjaak Swart 31 caps (Netherlands) · 10 goals · AFC AjaxAmsterdam called him Mr. Ajax because he never played for anyone else, working the right touchline for 603 official matches between 1956 and 1973, still the club record, and signing off with a farewell game against Tottenham at the Olympic Stadium.
RM1960–1972
Sjaak Swart 31 caps (Netherlands) · 10 goals · AFC AjaxAmsterdam called him Mr. Ajax because he never played for anyone else, working the right touchline for 603 official matches between 1956 and 1973, still the club record, and signing off with a farewell game against Tottenham at the Olympic Stadium.
RM1960–1972
29
Johnny Rep 42 caps (Netherlands) · 12 goals · AFC Ajax, SC BastiaThe prolific forward was a vital part of Ajax's European Cup dominance in the early 1970s and a two-time World Cup runner-up, scoring crucial goals for his country.
RM1973–1981
Johnny Rep 42 caps (Netherlands) · 12 goals · AFC Ajax, SC BastiaThe prolific forward was a vital part of Ajax's European Cup dominance in the early 1970s and a two-time World Cup runner-up, scoring crucial goals for his country.
RM1973–1981
30
PC
Phillip Cocu 101 caps (Netherlands) · 10 goals · SBV Vitesse, PSV EindhovenA versatile and tenacious midfielder, he provided a reliable presence for PSV and Barcelona, captaining his country and featuring in three World Cups.
CM1996–2006
33
Wim Jansen 65 caps (Netherlands) · Feyenoord Rotterdam, Washington DiplomatsA linchpin of the great 1974 World Cup runners-up side, this intelligent controller dictated play from deep for both Feyenoord and Ajax.
CDM1967–1980
Wim Jansen 65 caps (Netherlands) · Feyenoord Rotterdam, Washington DiplomatsA linchpin of the great 1974 World Cup runners-up side, this intelligent controller dictated play from deep for both Feyenoord and Ajax.
CDM1967–1980
About this XI
At the head of Netherlands's pool stand Johan Cruyff, Marco van Basten and Ruud Gullit. The 33 covers 3 goalkeepers, 9 defenders, 15 midfielders and 6 forwards, with sourced senior international careers spanning the 1960s to the 2020s. Pick a formation, drag your eleven onto the pitch, then explore the careers and settle the duels below. Your votes reorder the people's ranking of these 33 in real time.
Left out, and why
A 33 is a set of decisions, and these are the players who lost their place in the last revision of Netherlands's list. Every one of them has a case.
- Danny BlindThe place went to Frenkie de Jong.
- Roy MakaayThe place went to Arie Haan.
- Mark van BommelThe place went to Memphis Depay.
Disagree? That is the point. Settle it in the duels above.
Who is the greatest Netherlands footballer of all time?
The editorial collection starts with Johan Cruyff. Its first five careers: Johan Cruyff, Marco van Basten, Ruud Gullit, Frank Rijkaard, Dennis Bergkamp. The people's ranking on this page moves with every duel vote and can disagree.
How were these 33 Netherlands players chosen?
The collection covers every position across Netherlands's football history. Honours, international records and career achievements inform the editorial order. Each entry opens a career note and its sources. Fan votes in the duels build a separate ranking.
Where can I read about the careers?
Open a player page from the collection to read the career scene, club record and recorded honours. The source links show where the available records come from.
Can I build and share my own Netherlands all-time XI?
Yes. Pick one of 8 formations, place any of the 33 players onto the pitch, and export your lineup as a PNG. There is no account and no sign-up.