When we talk about soccer players, it is normal for our team to come to mind. Then those who play in the national team, and later those who made history. There are countries that have lived their golden age thanks to a group of soccer players who were born almost at the same time and took their teams to the top.
This time it’s time to review the Best Dutch Players of All Time. A nationality that has given great names. Surely someone already has it in your head. Let’s see if we agree this time.
Johan Cruyff
Ajax and Barça player, who as coach marked a before and after in the history of the club, Johan Cruyff is one of the icons of any football fan, although he is not a follower of any of the teams he played. And the legends go beyond colors.
The numbers say it all: as a player, he won leagues in the Netherlands and Spain, European Cups, an Intercontinental Cup. In addition to 3 Gold balls and according to the International Federation of Soccer History he is the best player in Europe.
It is part of the top 3 players of the century, surpassed only by two other legends: Pelé and Maradona.
Marco Van Basten
For many, the best European forward in history. Although he also played as an end and a half point, it was as center forward as he felt more comfortable. Like Cruyff, he also has 3 Golden Balls, and after this, he is the best player of all time in his country. An injury forced him to retire early.
He developed his entire sports career in two teams: Ajax and Milan. In the first one, he won 3 leagues and as many drinks, as well as a European cup win. As a player of Sacchi’s Milan, he won 3 scudetto’s and two Italian super cups, 2 European Cups, 2 European super cups and 2 other Intercontinental.
He is the top scorer in a single match of his selection: 5 goals against Malta.
Ruud Gullit
His curls were as characteristic as his way of playing. Gullit shared the glory with Van Basten in both the national team and Milan, although in the Netherlands they played in rival teams. He got a Golden Ball, something remarkable for a player of his position since it is usually the strikers who are made more easily with this trophy.
With the selection of the Netherlands, he won the 1988 European Championship and reached the semifinals 4 years later
Also Read: Great Soccer Players Without a Golden Ball
Dennis Bergkamp
When talking about Holland as Mechanical Orange, it is normal to think about the time of Cruyff, although in the 90s there was a player who returned the illusion to the fans of the Netherlands. In fact, the total football philosophy of this era flourished with him again.
Bergkamp did most of his career in England, specifically in Arsenal, where he has a great player who owes a lot.
Elegant and polite in the field, he played practically in all positions. He was a defender, midfielder and when he arrived at Inter he came to play as a center forward. His dribble and the speed of his game put a serious crush on all the goalkeepers who faced him, as well as many defenses. His teammates qualify him as a very confident player and nothing arrogant.
Frank Rijkaard
Although he is best known for his role as coach, Rijkaard has won everything in Europe as a footballer. Recopas, European Champions League and Intercontinental Leagues are just some of the trophies in your showcase.
He also played in almost all demarcations, so much so that he was called an all-terrain. All his sporting life as a player he lived between Ajax and Milan, like others of his compatriots.
Elegant and polite in the field, he played practically in all positions. He was a defender, midfielder and when he arrived at Inter he came to play as a center forward. His dribble and the speed of his game put a serious crush on all the goalkeepers who faced him, as well as many defenses. His teammates qualify him as a very confident player and nothing arrogant.
Frank Rijkaard
Although he is best known for his role as coach, Rijkaard has won everything in Europe as a footballer. Recopas, European Champions League and Intercontinental Leagues are just some of the trophies in your showcase.
He also played in almost all demarcations, so much so that he was called an all-terrain. All his sporting life as a player he lived between Ajax and Milan, like others of his compatriots.
Ruud Krol
Another pearl out of Ajax, which led his team to get 3 European Cups in a row, which makes him hold the title. Very disciplined and effective, he managed two world runners-up with the national team. His entire career as a footballer, not as a coach, was on the same team.
Also Read: Best Midfielders in Football History
Johan Neeskens
Although less known today, Neeskens had a football history similar to Cruyff’s. He played in Ajax, in Barca, and in the national team, always occupying a relevant role. In Spain, he won the Copa del Rey and the Recopa de Europa. He was the second coach when Rijkaard took over Barcelona.
Although they are few compared to other countries, these stars are responsible for the Netherlands, or as the Netherlands team is now known, to be one of the countries with the greatest potential in football history.
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