33·Legends

Johan Cruyff vs Ruud Gullit

Netherlands against Netherlands. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.

Johan Cruyff

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.

vs
Ruud Gullit

Ruud Gullit

Netherlands · 1980s · CAM

Almanac rating
94
Rank in Netherlands
#3 of 33
Caps
66 · 17 goals
Clubs
HFC Haarlem, Feyenoord Rotterdam, AC Milan
Honours
Ballon d'Or 1987 · national Player of the Year 1984 · 2× Hall of Fame (2017–2017)

The iconic dreadlocked superstar lit up Serie A with AC Milan and captained the Netherlands to their glorious Euro '88 triumph, winning the Ballon d'Or in 1987. Career record: 66 caps and 17 goals for Netherlands; club career at HFC Haarlem, Feyenoord Rotterdam, AC Milan; honours include Ballon d'Or 1987, national Player of the Year 1984, 2× Hall of Fame (2017–2017).

The verdict

The almanac puts Johan Cruyff ahead by 4 rating points, 98 against 94.

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