Hristo Stoichkov vs Johan Cruyff
Bulgaria against Netherlands. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Hristo Stoichkov
Bulgaria · 1990s · CAM
- Almanac rating
- 93
- Rank in Bulgaria
- #1 of 33
- Caps
- 84 · 38 goals
- Clubs
- PFC CSKA Sofia, FC Barcelona, Chicago Fire
- Honours
- Ballon d'Or 1994 · European Golden Shoe 1990
The fiery left-footed genius led Bulgaria to the 1994 World Cup semi-finals and won the Ballon d'Or with his explosive talent at Barcelona. Career record: 84 caps and 38 goals for Bulgaria; club career at PFC CSKA Sofia, FC Barcelona, Chicago Fire; honours include Ballon d'Or 1994, European Golden Shoe 1990.
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 5 rating points, 98 against 93.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.