Johan Cruyff - Holland

The finest player of the 1974 World Cup was very much a known quantity by the end of that summer. A slight figure, particularly as a teenager, the Ajax trainers worked hard to improve his physique and his relatively weak left foot; this was achieved by attaching weights to his legs. Born on 25 April 1947, Cruyff made his professional debut in 1964 for Ajax; whilst Cruyff remained a player Ajax won the Dutch league several times, but what made a greater impression overseas were the wins of the European Cup in the successive years 1971, 1972 and 1973. By 1974, Cruyff had been an international for eight seasons. The possessor of a ferocious shot, Cruyff seemed to score effortlessly from almost any position. Willowy and fast, Cruyff moved around the field in a manner designed to pull opponents out of position thereby creating opportunities for his colleagues.

Ruud Gullit
Ruud Gullit was a very powerful built footballer, tall and tough. On the field he was a threat as he was great at leaping over potentially crippling tackles with the same gazelle like style patented during the 1970’s by his fellow Dutchman, Johan Cruyff.
Gullit was as confident off the field as he was on it.
Between the years 1979 and 1982 he played for Harlem, as a winger, he then moved on to bigger things moving to Feyenord. Gullit became recognized as a brilliant international world class footballer by his fantastic display in the 1988 European Championships, where he helped Holland win the trophy. Through the majority of 1989, Gullit suffered from the inflammation of the right knee tendon which kept him off the football field for most of that season. He returned to football playing in the European cup final on 20th May 1990, leading AC Milan to victory over Steaua Bucharest.
He was back playing again in Italia 90, after impressive performances in Holland’s opening games against Egypt and England, he was outstanding for Holland in their final group match against the Republic of Ireland, where he gave Holland the advantage, and he troubled the Irish defense throughout the game. Holland eventually went out of the competition against West Germany in a controversial second round tie, which saw two players sent off. Gullit went on to star for Holland in the European Championships in 1992.

Marco Van Basten – Holland
Marco van Basten scored the goals many players could only dream about. Van Basten fought back from injury to participate in the 1988 European Championships. He was outstanding in Holland’s all or nothing tie against England in the group phase. Van Basten scored that amazing Hat-trick that awarded Holland a place in the semi-finals and eliminated England from the tournament. In the semi-final Van Basten struck again, with a late winner against West Germany. In the final against Soviet Union, he scored one of the best goals ever seen in an international match. He struck the ball first time on the volley past the startled Soviet goalkeeper, Rinat Dassayev, and into the top corner of the net. Van Basten's dazzling performance in the European Championships of 1988 won him the European Footballer of the year and World Footballer of the year awards in 1988. He starred for Holland in the 1990 world cup finals and in Euro 92. He played his club football for Ajax and AC Milan, he was forced to retire from football in 1993 due to a recurring injuries.