Romário vs Johan Cruyff
Brazil against Netherlands. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Romário
Brazil · 1989–97 · ST
- Almanac rating
- 95
- Rank in Brazil
- #5 of 33
- Caps
- 70 · 55 goals
- Clubs
- CR Vasco da Gama, PSV Eindhoven, Fluminense
- Honours
- FIFA World Player of the Year 1994
In the Clásico of 8 January 1994 he dragged the ball a full turn around his marker, the move Spain calls the cola de vaca, and finished; two more goals followed in a 5-0 win over Real Madrid. Five goals and the Golden Ball won Brazil the 1994 World Cup, and he was FIFA's world player that year, top scorer in La Liga with 30 goals in the title season, and a Copa América winner in 1989 and 1997. Career record: 70 caps and 55 goals for Brazil; club career at CR Vasco da Gama, PSV Eindhoven, Fluminense; honours include FIFA World Player of the Year 1994.
Johan Cruyff
Netherlands · 1964–84 · CAM
- Almanac rating
- 98
- Rank in Netherlands
- #1 of 33
- Caps
- 48 · 33 goals
- Clubs
- AFC Ajax, FC Barcelona, Feyenoord Rotterdam
- Honours
- Ballon d'Or 1971 · national Player of the Year 1968 · Hall of Fame
Dortmund, 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. Cruyff took the Ballon d'Or in 1971, 1973 and 1974, won three straight European Cups with Ajax and eight Dutch titles there, La Liga with Barcelona in 1974, and the Golden Ball at the World Cup whose final he lost in Munich. Career record: 48 caps and 33 goals for Netherlands; club career at AFC Ajax, FC Barcelona, Feyenoord Rotterdam; honours include Ballon d'Or 1971, national Player of the Year 1968, Hall of Fame.
The verdict
The almanac puts Johan Cruyff ahead by 3 rating points, 98 against 95.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.