Edwin van der Sar vs Johan Cruyff
Netherlands against Netherlands. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Edwin van der Sar
Netherlands · 1995–2008 · GK
- Almanac rating
- 92
- Rank in Netherlands
- #6 of 33
- Caps
- 130 · 0 goals
- Clubs
- Barcelona, Fulham, Manchester United
- Honours
- national Player of the Year 1998 · Hall of Fame
A commanding presence between the sticks for Ajax and Manchester United, Van der Sar lifted the Champions League trophy in both 1995 and 2008. Career record: 130 caps and 0 goals for Netherlands; club career at Barcelona, Fulham, Manchester United; honours include national Player of the Year 1998, Hall of Fame.
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 6 rating points, 98 against 92.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.