Johan Cruyff vs Lev Yashin
Netherlands against Russia. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
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.
Lev Yashin
Russia · 1956–60 · GK
- Almanac rating
- 96
- Rank in Russia
- #1 of 33
- Caps
- 78 · 0 goals
- Clubs
- FC Dinamo Moscow, HC Dynamo Moscow
- Honours
- 2× Ballon d'Or · 4× Hall of Fame (1957–1990)
The legendary "Black Panther" redefined goalkeeping with his athleticism and daring, backstopping the Soviet Union to Olympic gold in 1956 and the 1960 European Championship. Career record: 78 caps and 0 goals for Russia; club career at FC Dinamo Moscow, HC Dynamo Moscow; honours include 2× Ballon d'Or, 4× Hall of Fame (1957–1990).
The verdict
The almanac puts Johan Cruyff ahead by 2 rating points, 98 against 96.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.