Roberto Baggio vs Johan Cruyff
Italy against Netherlands. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Roberto Baggio
Italy · 1982–2004 · CAM
- Almanac rating
- 94
- Rank in Italy
- #11 of 33
- Caps
- 56 · 27 goals
- Clubs
- ACF Fiorentina, Juventus, Brescia Calcio
- Honours
- Ballon d'Or 1993 · FIFA World Player of the Year 1993 · Golden Foot 2003
The "Divine Ponytail", Baggio's mesmerising dribbling and breathtaking goals lit up three World Cups, making him one of Italy's most beloved and tragic heroes. Career record: 56 caps and 27 goals for Italy; club career at ACF Fiorentina, Juventus, Brescia Calcio; honours include Ballon d'Or 1993, FIFA World Player of the Year 1993, Golden Foot 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 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.