Gordon Banks vs Johan Cruyff
England against Netherlands. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Gordon Banks
England · 1970s · GK
- Almanac rating
- 94
- Rank in England
- #3 of 33
- Caps
- 73 · 0 goals
- Clubs
- Leicester City, Stoke City, Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Honours
- 2× Hall of Fame (2002–2002)
The legendary World Cup winner made one of the most iconic saves in history against Pelé in 1970, forever cementing his place as one of football's greatest goalkeepers. Career record: 73 caps and 0 goals for England; club career at Leicester City, Stoke City, Fort Lauderdale Strikers; honours include 2× Hall of Fame (2002–2002).
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 4 rating points, 98 against 94.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.