The 10 best Dutch soccer players of all time

Netherlands has produced some of the greatest football players, but only a few are ranked among the best due to their talent, achievements, and contributions to the sport. From Johan Cruyff and Marco van Basten to Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie, let’s explore the best Dutch soccer players of all time through the following article on premiumsoccertips.net!

Best Dutch soccer players of all time

10. Arjen Robben

Arjen Robben could be considered the best Dutch player of the 2010-2014 era. At the 2010 World Cup, he scored 2 goals to help the Netherlands finish as runners-up. At the 2014 World Cup, he scored 3 goals, received the Bronze Ball (third-best player), and was included in the All-Star Team.

Robben is a renowned inverted right winger, famous for his speed, dribbling ability, and cutting inside to score with his left foot. His career began with 2 seasons at Groningen and 2 seasons with PSV Eindhoven, winning league titles later.

Robben moved to Chelsea in 2004 and spent 3 seasons there, winning 2 Premier League titles and 3 domestic cups. He then won 2 league titles with Real Madrid before spending 10 years with Bayern Munich, winning 8 league titles, 5 domestic cups, and the 2013 Champions League.

9. Edwin van der Sar

Edwin van der Sar has cemented his status as one of the most exceptional goalkeepers in history. He helped the Netherlands reach 3 semi-finals from 1998 to 2004 and is the second most-capped Dutch player (after Wesley Sneijder).

Van der Sar is known for his towering height of 1.98 meters (6 ft 6 in), composure, and excellent footwork. He holds the world record for going 1,311 minutes without allowing a single goal to pass him, a testament to his unparalleled skill and dominance in the goalkeeping position.

Van der Sar’s career began with Ajax, where he won 4 league titles, 3 domestic cups, and the 1995 Champions League. After 2 years with Juventus and 4 years with Fulham, he spent 6 successful years with Manchester United, winning 4 league titles, 2 domestic cups, and the 2008 Champions League.

8. Johan Neeskens

Johan Neeskens, or “Johan the Second” (with Cruyff being the first), was a “complete footballer.” He played as a right-back when Ajax won the European Cup in 1971 but operated as a midfielder in their victories in 1972 and 1973. Additionally, he clinched 2 league championships and secured victory in 2 domestic cup competitions during his tenure with Ajax.

Neeskens followed Cruyff to Barcelona and spent 5 seasons there, winning a domestic cup and the 1979 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup. His later career included 5 seasons in the USA and 3 seasons in Switzerland.

On the international stage, Neeskens was a star of the 1974 and 1978 World Cups (runner-up in both), winning the Silver Boot (second-best player) and featuring in the All-Star Team in 1974. He was one of the earliest goal-scoring midfielders, with remarkable stamina, running ability, technique, and goal-scoring prowess.

7. Clarence Seedorf

Clarence Seedorf is a serial winner. He won the Champions League 4 times and is the only player to win it with 3 different clubs: Ajax (1995), Real Madrid (1998), and Milan (2003 and 2007). He also claimed 5 league titles and 2 domestic cup triumphs with these clubs prior to securing a state championship in Brazil with Botafogo.

Seedorf played in the Netherlands’ era from 1998 to 2004, with 3 semi-finals in major tournaments. He could play in any midfield position, primarily as a playmaking midfielder but also as a box-to-box midfielder. His fitness, endurance, dribbling, shooting, creativity, and passing with both feet made him a complete midfielder.

6. Ronald Koeman

Ronald Koeman holds the distinction of being the top-scoring defender in the history of the sport. Indeed, he was the top scorer in the 1994 UEFA Champions League when he finished as the runner-up with Barcelona.

However, most of the time, Ronald Koeman was a winner with 8 league titles and 4 domestic cups in his career. He won the Euro 1988, was in the “team of the tournament,” and led PSV Eindhoven to their only European Cup in the same year. Upon joining Barcelona in 1989, he won their second European Cup.

Koeman is often overlooked despite his exceptional skills and contributions to the game. His strength, intelligence, and passing ability meant he could play anywhere in defense or midfield. The clearest evidence of his technical ability is his free-kick taking (see video).

5. Dennis Bergkamp

If you’re going to watch one video in this article, watch Dennis Bergkamp’s. He didn’t win the Champions League, but he turned football into an art form with his technique, vision, passing, and extraordinary control. His finest years were with Arsenal, where he won 3 league titles and 4 domestic cups.

Bergkamp began his career with 7 seasons at Ajax, winning a league title, 2 domestic cups, the 1987 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, and the 1992 UEFA Cup. Before Arsenal, he also won the UEFA Cup in 1994 with Inter Milan.

On the international stage, Bergkamp played in two successful eras. He reached the semi-finals of Euro 1992, the World Cup 1998, and Euro 2000, and he was in the All-Star Team in the first two.

4. Frank Rijkaard

Frank Rijkaard is the Dutch Beckenbauer, with enough skill and composure to control games on his own. He also liked to push forward, play a one-two, and score goals. He won the Euro 1988 and was in the “team of the tournament.”

Rijkaard kicked off his professional journey with a remarkable stint at Ajax, where he spent 8 seasons, securing 3 league titles, 3 domestic cups, and the 1987 European Cup. Following his successful tenure at Ajax, he embarked on a memorable five-year spell with AC Milan, clinching 2 league titles and 2 European Cups in 1989 and 1990.

After his return to Ajax, Rijkaard added two additional league titles and secured victory in the 1995 Champions League. His final match was the following game, where he defeated his former club Milan in the final and helped usher in the next generation of stars (e.g., Seedorf and van der Sar).

3. Ruud Gullit

Ruud Gullit’s nickname is “The Black Tulip” due to his dreadlocked hair and graceful style of play. It should really be “The Machine” because he had the strength, speed, and skills to play anywhere on the field. He was a versatile footballer, although he was best utilized as a attacking midfielder.

Gullit won the Ballon d’Or in 1987 before helping the Dutch national team win Euro 1988 and reach the semi-finals of Euro 1992. He was present in the tournament’s team of the competition in both instances.

During his time in the Netherlands, Gullit spent 8 seasons representing clubs such as Haarlem, Feyenoord, and PSV Eindhoven, where he garnered an impressive tally of 3 league titles along with a domestic cup triumph. He then won 3 league titles and 2 European Cups (1989 and 1990) with AC Milan, along with a domestic cup with Sampdoria before finishing his career with Chelsea.

2. Marco van Basten

Marco van Basten is the master of spectacular acrobatics (see video at 2:19) or the “volley” that we all remember (7:50). His goal-scoring ability, technical skills, and intelligent play helped him win the Ballon d’Or in 1988, 1989, and 1992.

Like Rijkaard and Gullit, van Basten won Euro 1988 and enjoyed his finest years at AC Milan. He was the top scorer (5 goals) in the Euro championship, scored in the final, and was in the tournament’s team of the competition (also in 1992).

Van Basten spent five seasons with Ajax, during which he claimed three league titles, three domestic cups, and secured victory in the 1987 European Cup. He then had 6 memorable seasons with AC Milan, winning 3 league titles and 2 European Cups (1989 and 1990). Injuries forced van Basten into early retirement, and he played his final match in 1993 at the age of 28.

1. Johan Cruyff

Johan Cruyff stands as one of the preeminent footballers in history, revered for his exceptional talent and enduring influence on the sport. Like Maradona and Messi, he had a special ability to glide past multiple players on his way to goal. Like van Basten, he also won the Ballon d’Or three times (1971, 1973, and 1974).

Cruyff kicked off his illustrious career with a decade-long spell at Ajax, clinching an impressive haul of 6 league titles, 4 domestic cups, and three consecutive European Cups from 1971 to 1973. Following his successful tenure at Ajax, he continued to excel, securing a league title and a domestic cup during his time with Barcelona. Upon his return to the Netherlands, Cruyff added to his trophy cabinet with three more league titles and two domestic cups split between Ajax and Feyenoord.

On the international stage, Cruyff was a runner-up in the 1974 World Cup and won the Ballon d’Or (for the best player) with 3 goals and 3 assists. After finishing third in Euro 1976, Cruyff retired from international football in 1977 and did not play in the 1978 World Cup in Argentina due to fears of being kidnapped. In addition to his goals, Cruyff had over 250 assists in his career.

Conclude

The legacy of Dutch footballers stands as a testament to their unparalleled skill, versatility, and impact on the sport. From Johan Cruyff’s revolutionary playing style to Ruud Gullit’s dynamic versatility and Marco van Basten’s breathtaking goals, these players have etched their names in football history. Their achievements, both individually and collectively, have not only shaped the landscape of Dutch football but have also left an indelible mark on the global stage. Beyond their playing days, their influence continues to resonate, inspiring future generations of players and coaches alike. In essence, the contributions of Dutch footballers transcend mere statistics and trophies, embodying the essence of the beautiful game and cementing their place among the all-time greats.
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