List of 10 Netherlands all time top scorers

The Netherlands are a great footballing nation that have had some great teams throughout their history. They have always been a dominant team, and although they have not had much success to show for it, they have had some great players represent them. The Netherlands football team has only won one major trophy in their history, the 1988 UEFA European Football Championship. Some of the greatest goalscorers in the history of the sport have represented the Netherlands football team over the years. This Premiumsoccertips.net article is about the 10 Netherlands all time top scorers.

10 Netherlands all time top scorers

Top 10: Johan Cruyff – 33 Goals

Johan Cruyff is one of the all time Netherlands top scorers. With his superb technique, sharp tactical vision and creative style of play, he helped shape modern football. Playing for the Netherlands from 1966 to 1977, Cruyff made 48 appearances and scored 33 goals, a rate of 0.69 goals per game. He was a key factor in helping the Netherlands reach the 1974 World Cup final, where the team played an enthralling brand of total football.

At club level, Cruyff played for Ajax and Barcelona, ​​winning many important titles. At Ajax, he won three consecutive European Cups from 1971 to 1973, and also helped Barcelona win La Liga in the 1973/74 season. Not only was he excellent on the pitch, Cruyff also left a deep mark when he moved into coaching, leading Barcelona to win the first European Cup in 1992. His football philosophy has strongly influenced many generations of players and coaches.

Top 9: Abe Lenstra – 33 Goals

Abe Lenstra is one of the greatest players in Dutch football, playing for the national team from 1940 to 1959. In 47 appearances, he scored 33 goals, reaching a rate of 0.70 goals/match, an impressive number in the semi-professional era. Lenstra was not only an excellent striker but also a symbol of Dutch football before the country entered the modern era.

He spent the majority of his club career with Sportclub Heerenveen, where he played 455 times and scored 516 goals in all competitions. He helped Heerenveen become a force in Dutch football in the 1940s. Despite receiving offers from major clubs, Lenstra remained loyal to his hometown club. In his honour, Heerenveen’s main stadium was named after him – Abe Lenstra Stadion, a testament to the great legacy he left in Dutch football.

Top 8: Ruud van Nistelrooy – 35 goals

Ruud van Nistelrooy is one of the most prolific strikers in Dutch football history, scoring 35 goals in 70 appearances for the national team between 1998 and 2011, at a rate of 0.50 goals per game. He was a complete striker with a sharp finish, intelligent positioning and an impressive goal-scoring instinct. Van Nistelrooy played a key role for the Netherlands at several major tournaments, including Euro 2004 and the 2006 World Cup, where he scored crucial goals as the team advanced.

At club level, Van Nistelrooy played for many of the world’s top clubs, most notably Manchester United and Real Madrid. At United, he scored 150 goals in 219 games, winning the 2002/03 Premier League title, the 2003/04 FA Cup and the Premier League Golden Boot. Moving to Real Madrid in 2006, Van Nistelrooy continued to assert his class by winning two consecutive La Liga titles and winning the Pichichi trophy with 25 goals in the 2006/07 season. With an illustrious career at both club and international level, Van Nistelrooy is considered one of the greatest strikers in Dutch football.

Top 7: Faas Wilkes – 35 Goals

Faas Wilkes is one of the most prolific strikers in Dutch football history, playing for the national team from 1946 to 1961. In 38 appearances, he scored 35 goals, an impressive rate of 0.92 goals per game – the highest among the Netherlands’ top scorers. Wilkes was known for his superb technique, dribbling ability and excellent tactical vision, making him one of the most dangerous attackers of his era.

At club level, Wilkes not only shone domestically but also made a strong mark abroad, playing for many famous teams such as Inter Milan, Torino and Valencia. He was one of the first Dutch players to play abroad, paving the way for the next generation to conquer the top leagues in Europe. Wilkes left a great legacy for Dutch football, not only with his goals but also with his artistic style of play, helping to shape the next generation of attacking players.

Top 6: Arjen Robben – 37 Goals

Arjen Robben was one of the all time top goal scorers for Netherlands from 2003 to 2017, scoring 37 goals in 96 games, a rate of 0.39 goals per game. He played a key role in the Netherlands’ journey to the 2010 World Cup final, especially with his explosive pace and sharp technical handling. At the 2014 World Cup, he continued to shine when helping the team reach the semi-finals, notably with an impressive performance against Spain in the group stage. With his excellent dribbling ability and his signature left-footed curling shots, Robben became one of the most dangerous wingers of his generation.

At club level, Robben has played for many famous teams such as Chelsea, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. Of which, Bayern Munich is where he has been with the longest, playing 309 times in all competitions and becoming a legend of the team. The peak of Robben’s career was the 2012/13 season, when he scored the decisive goal to help Bayern defeat Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final. In addition, he also won a series of domestic titles, including many Bundesliga and German Cup titles. With his fast playing style, skillful technique and ability to create breakthroughs, Robben has left a deep mark in the history of European football.

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Top 5: Dennis Bergkamp – 37 goals

Dennis Bergkamp is considered one of the greatest legends of Dutch football. He played for the national team from 1990 to 2000, played 79 times and scored 37 goals, achieving a rate of 0.47 goals per game. Bergkamp was a key factor in helping the Netherlands advance to many major tournaments, especially Euro 1992 and the 1998 World Cup, where he scored an iconic goal against Argentina in the quarter-finals. With his exquisite technique, sharp tactical vision and perfect ball handling ability, Bergkamp was always a great threat to any defense.

At club level, Bergkamp played for three famous teams: Ajax, Inter Milan and Arsenal. He started his career at Ajax, where he made a name for himself before moving to Inter Milan in 1993. However, Bergkamp’s career only really took off when he joined Arsenal in 1995. Here, he became an icon of the “Gunners”, playing more than 400 matches and contributing greatly to the club’s brilliant period of success, including three Premier League titles and especially the 2003/04 unbeaten season. With his intelligent play, smooth handling of the ball and spectacular goals, Bergkamp is considered one of the greatest players in Arsenal’s history and world football.

Top 4: Patrick Kluivert – 40 goals

Patrick Kluivert is one of the most outstanding strikers in Dutch football, with an impressive career at both club and international level. During his club career, he played for many famous teams, including Ajax, AC Milan, Barcelona and Newcastle United. In total, Kluivert made 479 appearances and scored 206 goals, demonstrating his outstanding goalscoring ability. He started his career at Ajax, where he stood out and developed his talent before joining Barcelona, ​​where he won many major trophies, including La Liga and the Champions League.

In his international career, Kluivert represented the Netherlands from 1994 to 2004, scoring 40 goals in 79 games, a rate of 0.51 goals per game. He was a key player in the Netherlands’ international campaigns, particularly at Euro 2000, where the team reached the semi-finals and Kluivert scored important goals. With a combination of physical strength, aerial ability and exquisite ball-handling technique, Kluivert left a deep impression on Dutch and international football fans.

Top 3: Klaas Jan Huntelaar – 42 goals

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar is one of the best strikers in the history of the Netherlands national football team and is one of the three top scorers in the history of the national football team. He played for the national team from 2006 to 2015, scoring 42 goals in 76 appearances, at a rate of 0.55 goals per game. Huntelaar was a key figure in many of the Netherlands’ international campaigns, especially at the 2010 World Cup, where the team reached the final, although they did not win. His excellent finishing ability and timely presence in the penalty area made him one of the team’s top scorers.

During his club career, Huntelaar played for many prestigious teams, including PSV, Ajax, Real Madrid, AC Milan and Schalke 04. Although he had a short spell at Real Madrid and AC Milan, the majority of his club career was spent with Ajax and Schalke 04, where he scored a lot of goals and won many trophies. With his intelligent play, ability to sniff out scoring opportunities and bravery in the tackle, Huntelaar has built a solid name for himself at both club and international level.

Top 2: Memphis Depay – 46 Goals

Memphis Depay is the only player on this list who is still playing and continues to contribute to the Netherlands national team. He made his debut for the national team in 2013 and has since scored 46 goals in 98 appearances, at a rate of 0.47 goals per game. Depay is one of the key players for the Netherlands, helping them win many important victories in international tournaments, especially at Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup. With his excellent technical ability, speed and accurate finishing ability, he is always a big threat to the opposing defense.

During his club career, Depay has played for many famous teams, including PSV, Manchester United, Lyon, Barcelona and most recently Atletico Madrid. He started his career at PSV, where he shone and attracted attention from big clubs. After a short time at Manchester United, Depay regained his form at Lyon, where he became a shining star. He recently moved to Barcelona and continued to prove himself as a player capable of making a difference. Depay stands out with his ability to play in a variety of attacking positions, from winger to striker, and has always been an inspiration to every team he has played for.

Top 1: Robin van Persie – 50 goals

Robin van Persie is the Netherlands’ all-time top scorer, with 50 goals in 102 appearances, at a rate of 0.49 goals per game. He played for the national team from 2005 to 2017, and was known for his accurate finishing and ability to create chances. Van Persie played a key role in the Netherlands’ runner-up finish at the 2010 World Cup, as well as in other international campaigns. He is known for his outstanding technique and intelligence in every attacking situation.

In his club career, Van Persie played for Feyenoord, Arsenal, Manchester United and Fenerbahce. At Arsenal, he became one of the club’s all-time leading goalscorers, while at Manchester United he won the 2012/13 Premier League title. He then moved to Fenerbahce, where he continued playing until his retirement. With his powerful shot, aerial ability and good positioning, Van Persie left a deep impression on fans and is considered one of the best strikers of his generation.

Final Thoughts

The netherlands all time top scorers above are not only known for their finishing talent but also for their profound influence on the development of the country’s football. From Johan Cruyff, who shaped modern football, to the likes of Robin van Persie and Memphis Depay, each has left an indelible mark. The combination of superb technique, sharp finishing and tactical intelligence has helped the Netherlands maintain their status as one of the world’s footballing superpowers. These players are not only icons of Dutch football, but also legends who will forever be remembered in the history of international sport.

See also: List of 10 Belgium all time top scorers