Ronaldinho vs Johan Cruyff
Brazil against Netherlands. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Ronaldinho
Brazil · 1999–2013 · LM
- Almanac rating
- 96
- Rank in Brazil
- #3 of 33
- Caps
- 97 · 33 goals
- Clubs
- Grêmio FBPA, FC Barcelona, AC Milan
- Honours
- Ballon d'Or 2005 · FIFA World Player of the Year 2004 · South American Footballer of the Year 2013
Twice at the Bernabéu on 19 November 2005 he cut in from the left and scored in a 3-0 win, and at the final whistle the crowd rose to applaud him, an honour Madrid had given no Barcelona player since Maradona. He won the 2002 World Cup, the 2006 Champions League, La Liga in 2005 and 2006, the Ballon d'Or in 2005, FIFA's world player award in 2004 and 2005, and the Copa Libertadores with Atlético Mineiro in 2013. Career record: 97 caps and 33 goals for Brazil; club career at Grêmio FBPA, FC Barcelona, AC Milan; honours include Ballon d'Or 2005, FIFA World Player of the Year 2004, South American Footballer of the Year 2013.
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 2 rating points, 98 against 96.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.