Italy against Netherlands. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Italy · 2000s · CB
The inspirational captain who hoisted the 2006 World Cup, his defensive masterclass earned him the Ballon d'Or that same year. Career record: 136 caps and 2 goals for Italy; club career at Parma Calcio 1913, Juventus, Real Madrid Club de Fútbol; honours include Ballon d'Or 2006, FIFA World Player of the Year 2006, 2× Hall of Fame (2000–2006).
Netherlands · 1964–84 · CAM
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 almanac puts Johan Cruyff ahead by 3 rating points, 98 against 95.
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