Power Ranking: Top 10 greatest players to play soccer in the US
By Kris Whelan
No.3- Johan Cruyff
The Dutch attacking midfielder is one of only three players to win the Ballon d’Or on three occasions. He won a total of 48 caps for the Netherlands, scoring 33 goals and reaching the World Cup final in 1974. He won the Golden Ball for his efforts in the tournament, meaning he was voted the best player of that year’s World Cup. Over his club career he won a total of 10 league titles, nine in the Netherlands with Ajax (8) and Feyenoord (1) and one in Spain with Barcelona. Many people believe that Cruyff is one of the best, if not the best soccer player of all time.
"“I loved the Dutch in the ’70s, they excited me and Cruyff was the best. He was at the heart of a revolution with his football. Ajax changed football and he was the leader of it all. If he wanted he could be the best player in any position on the pitch.” – Eric Cantona, Man United legend."
Johan was born on April 25th, 1947 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. He made his professional debut for Ajax in 1964, going on to play with the Dutch giants for nine years and 240 league games. While with Ajax he scored 190 league goals and won eight league titles. He was voted Dutch player of the year on five occasions, and European footballer of the year three times. Cruyff was voted just behind Pele in the World Player of the Century award.
After his first stint with Ajax he moved to Barcelona where he played for five years. He won the Copa Del Rey and one La Liga title. The Dutchman followed up his impressive stay in Spain with a move to the United States. He played 23 times for the Los Angelas Aztecs and 30 times for the Washington Diplomats. He had an impressive scoring rate while in the US, scoring on average once every two games.
Following his two years in America, Cruyff moved to Levante briefly, before going back to Ajax and then Feyenoord. He won two league titles with Ajax in his second stint with the club. He then won a league title with Feyenoord in his only season with the club before retiring.
After his retirement Cruyff went on to have a fantastic and illustrious career as a manager, winning four La Liga titles and a European cup with Barcelona. He was a practitioner of ‘Total Football’ and will be remembered as an innovator in addition to being a world class player. His dominance was at it’s most devastating during his time in Europe, but his star still shun while in the US.
"“As a player he turned football into an art form. Johan came along and revolutionized everything. The modern-day Barca started with him, he is the expression of our identity, he brought us a style of football we love.”- Barcelona ex President Joan Laporta"
Next: No.2- George Best