Zinedine Zidane vs Johan Cruyff
France against Netherlands. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Zinedine Zidane
France · 1990s · CM
- Almanac rating
- 98
- Rank in France
- #1 of 33
- Caps
- 108 · 31 goals
- Clubs
- FC Girondins de Bordeaux, Juventus, Real Madrid Club de Fútbol
- Honours
- Ballon d'Or 1998 · 3× FIFA World Player of the Year (1998–2003)
The mercurial maestro whose iconic Marseille turn, balletic grace, and unforgettable header in the 1998 World Cup final defined a golden era for France and Real Madrid. Career record: 108 caps and 31 goals for France; club career at FC Girondins de Bordeaux, Juventus, Real Madrid Club de Fútbol; honours include Ballon d'Or 1998, 3× FIFA World Player of the Year (1998–2003).
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 cannot separate them: both are rated 98.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.