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| 1995 Intercontinental Cup |
Ajax Amsterdam, PSV, Feyenoord.
Surnamese-Dutch,
North Holland, South Holand.
The rest of Netherlands excluding North and South Holland
Netherlands All-Time Team After Johan Cruyff
Netherlands before Johan Cruyff (BC)
Surnamese-Dutch,
North Holland, South Holand.
The rest of Netherlands excluding North and South Holland
Netherlands All-Time Team After Johan Cruyff
Netherlands before Johan Cruyff (BC)
This is my selection of a 25 member all-time team for AFC Ajax. The number 25 was chosen because it is the official squad size for the Champions' League.
AFC Ajax at the time of writing has won the European Cup/Champions' league 4 times, making them the greatest teams in Europe. The club began its rise in the late 1960's. It reached the Final in 1969, where it lost to AC Milan. Two years later, the club finally achieved the ultimate price, winning the cup and they would win the Cup three, straight times. Led by Johan Cruyff, they would play a style of football known as Total Football. Their successes were largely due to its football academy. The entire team is almost consisted of home grown players. In 1995, they would win the Cup again with mainly, home grown players. The 1995 team is considered among the best ever team in history.
AFC Ajax at the time of writing has won the European Cup/Champions' league 4 times, making them the greatest teams in Europe. The club began its rise in the late 1960's. It reached the Final in 1969, where it lost to AC Milan. Two years later, the club finally achieved the ultimate price, winning the cup and they would win the Cup three, straight times. Led by Johan Cruyff, they would play a style of football known as Total Football. Their successes were largely due to its football academy. The entire team is almost consisted of home grown players. In 1995, they would win the Cup again with mainly, home grown players. The 1995 team is considered among the best ever team in history.
Ajax is also one of four teams to win the continental treble and the Intercontinental Cup or Club World Cup in the same season/calendar year;[5] This was achieved in the 1971–72 season. Ajax are one of the five clubs to have won all three major UEFA club competitions.
GK: Piet Schrijvers (Netherlands)
Between 1971 and 1984, Schrijvers played 46 times for Netherlands. He was the backup keeper at both World Cup Finals in 1974, but he was the starting keeper at Euro 1976 and 1980, and the World Cup Finals in 1978. At club level, he spent nine years with AFC Ajax, winning five Eredivisie titles and two KNVB Cups. He also played for DWS, FC Twente and Zwolle.
CB: Velibor Vasovic (Yugoslavia)
Velibor Vasovic was considered one of the greatest sweeper ever played the game. He was a legend at FK Partizan where he played between 1958 and 1963. He lost the European Cup to Real Madrid in 1966 as the team captain. A year later, he joined Ajax and established himself as one of the best defenders in Europe. In 1971, he captained Ajax as they won their first European Cup. He played 32 times for Yugoslavia between 1961 and 1966.
CB/DM: Arie Haan (Netherlands)
Haan won three European Cups with the great Ajax team of the 1970's. In 1975, he moved to Anderlecht, winning two Cup Winners' Cup. With Standard Liege, he reached the Final of 1982 Cup Winners' Cup. He later played for PSV and Seiko FC in Hong Kong. He was a key player at both World Cup Finals in 1974 and 1978. In 1978, he scored two long range goals that were considered among the best ever goals scored in the history of World Cup Finals.
CB: Cor Van der Hart (Netherlands)
Cor Van der Hart became the third Dutch player in history to play board and one of the first professional player in Netherlands when he joined Lille in 1950. Before that, he played for Ajax. Widely considered one of the best Dutch defender in history. He had 44 caps, but the cap total largely was limited because the KNVB suspended all players that left the country to play professional football during his prime.
CB: Barry Hulshoff (Netherlands)
Barry Hulshoff was a part of the legendary Ajax team that won three straight European Cups in 1971, 1972 and 1973. He played for them, between 1965 and 1977. He also won seven league titles. He later played Grazer AK for 2 seasons in Austria before retiring from playing. He earned 12 caps for the Netherlands national football team between 1971 and 1973. He represented them at the World Cup Finals in 1974.
RB/CM: Johan Neeskens (Netherlands)
Johan Neeskens was considered to be one of the greatest Dutch midfielders. He was a crucial component in the Total Football side of the 1970s. He had 49 caps for Netherlands. He led them to two second place finishes at the World Cup Finals in 1974 and 1978. He was Netherlands' top scorer at the 1974 World Cup Finals. He also won three straight European Cups with Ajax: 1971, 1972, 1973. He also played with Barcelona FC and New York Cosmos.
CM/LM: Clarence Seedorf (Netherlands)
Seedorf is the first player to win three Champion League titles with 3 different clubs. He was a member of the Golden Generation from Ajax that won Champions League in 1995. In 1996, he moved to Real Madrid, where he quickly established himself as a star. He would win two Champions League title there. He later played for both AC Milan and Inter Milan. He was a key player for the Dutch national team where he played 87 times.
RW: Sjaak Swart (Netherlands)
Swart hide the fact that he was Jewish during the War under Nazi Occupation. From 1956 to 1973, he played for Ajax, his only club. He was known as "Mr.Ajax" for playing more games than anyone in the history of the club. He was a part of the team that won three European Cups in the 1970's. From 1960 to 1972, he picked up 31 caps for Netherlands.
ST: Patrick Kluivert (Netherlands)
The teenage star of the great Ajax team of 1995. He was also a star with Barcelona. He joined Milan in 1997, but he quickly left for Barcelona a season later. He had a relatively successes at the club, but left for Newcastle United in 2004. His career was never the same due to injuries. He was an important part of the national team from 1996 to 2004. However, his career was shortened due to various issues.
ST: Marco Van Basten (Netherlands)
Van Basten was probably the second best Dutch player and among the best striker in football's history. He won the Ballon d'Or three times. He led Oranje to the victory at Euro 1988 scoring 5 goals at the tournament. His goal in the Final is considered one of the best in history of the tournament. He started his career with Ajax. He also won two European Cups with AC Milan, a club team that was considered the best ever.
Honorable Mention
Squad Explanation
-- This team was updated in September, 2024.
-- With Heinz Stuy in goal, Ajax won three European Cup Finals in 1971, 1972 and 1973 without conceding a single goal. However, I went after his successor in Ajax Piet Schrijvers. He, also known as "De Beer van de Meer" because of his stature, was the first choice goalkeeper at Ajax between 1974 and 1983.
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| European Cup Winner 1972 |
Team
GK: Edwin Van Der Sar (Netherlands)
Van Der Sar is the most capped player in Holland's history with 130 caps. He went to 1994, 1998 and 2006 World Cup and Euro 1996, 2000 and 2004. He was best remembered for being the Ajax keeper in 1995 that won the Champions' League and then, later for Manchester United for 6 seasons. He won the Champions' League in 2007-2008. In between, he also played with Fulham and Juventus.
GK: Maaten Skekelenburg (Netherlands)
He was better known for his career with Ajax from 2002 and 2011. He was the backup keeper to Edwin Van de Sar during WC 2006 and Euro 2008. He was the starting keeper as Oranje reached the WC Final in 2010. He began his career at Ajax, playing 282 games over nine seasons and winning nine honours including two Eredivisie titles. Stekelenburg went on to play for Roma, Fulham, Monaco, Southampton and Everton.
GK: Edwin Van Der Sar (Netherlands)
Van Der Sar is the most capped player in Holland's history with 130 caps. He went to 1994, 1998 and 2006 World Cup and Euro 1996, 2000 and 2004. He was best remembered for being the Ajax keeper in 1995 that won the Champions' League and then, later for Manchester United for 6 seasons. He won the Champions' League in 2007-2008. In between, he also played with Fulham and Juventus.
GK: Maaten Skekelenburg (Netherlands)
He was better known for his career with Ajax from 2002 and 2011. He was the backup keeper to Edwin Van de Sar during WC 2006 and Euro 2008. He was the starting keeper as Oranje reached the WC Final in 2010. He began his career at Ajax, playing 282 games over nine seasons and winning nine honours including two Eredivisie titles. Stekelenburg went on to play for Roma, Fulham, Monaco, Southampton and Everton.
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| Maaten Skekelenburg |
Between 1971 and 1984, Schrijvers played 46 times for Netherlands. He was the backup keeper at both World Cup Finals in 1974, but he was the starting keeper at Euro 1976 and 1980, and the World Cup Finals in 1978. At club level, he spent nine years with AFC Ajax, winning five Eredivisie titles and two KNVB Cups. He also played for DWS, FC Twente and Zwolle.
RB: Michael Reiziger
Michael Reiziger was a member of the Golden Generation from Ajax that won Champions League in 1995. After a brief stint with AC Milan, he moved to Barcelona in 1997. In 2004, Reiziger moved to Middlesbrough on a Bosman transfer. He was capped 70 times for Netherlands, representing the nation in three European Championships and the 1998 World Cup Finals.
RB: Wim Suurbier (Netherlands)
Wim Suurbier is considered among the best ever rightback in history. He was the starting rightback for Oranje at the 1974 World Cup in Germany as well as the great Ajax team of the early 1970's where he played 13 seasons. He won three European Cups with Ajax in the 1970's. He had over 60 caps between 1966 and 1978 and he also played in the 1978 World Cup. He also played club football in France, the USA and Hong Kong.
Michael Reiziger was a member of the Golden Generation from Ajax that won Champions League in 1995. After a brief stint with AC Milan, he moved to Barcelona in 1997. In 2004, Reiziger moved to Middlesbrough on a Bosman transfer. He was capped 70 times for Netherlands, representing the nation in three European Championships and the 1998 World Cup Finals.
RB: Wim Suurbier (Netherlands)
Wim Suurbier is considered among the best ever rightback in history. He was the starting rightback for Oranje at the 1974 World Cup in Germany as well as the great Ajax team of the early 1970's where he played 13 seasons. He won three European Cups with Ajax in the 1970's. He had over 60 caps between 1966 and 1978 and he also played in the 1978 World Cup. He also played club football in France, the USA and Hong Kong.
CB: Velibor Vasovic (Yugoslavia)
Velibor Vasovic was considered one of the greatest sweeper ever played the game. He was a legend at FK Partizan where he played between 1958 and 1963. He lost the European Cup to Real Madrid in 1966 as the team captain. A year later, he joined Ajax and established himself as one of the best defenders in Europe. In 1971, he captained Ajax as they won their first European Cup. He played 32 times for Yugoslavia between 1961 and 1966.
CB/DM: Arie Haan (Netherlands)
Haan won three European Cups with the great Ajax team of the 1970's. In 1975, he moved to Anderlecht, winning two Cup Winners' Cup. With Standard Liege, he reached the Final of 1982 Cup Winners' Cup. He later played for PSV and Seiko FC in Hong Kong. He was a key player at both World Cup Finals in 1974 and 1978. In 1978, he scored two long range goals that were considered among the best ever goals scored in the history of World Cup Finals.
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| Arie Haan |
Cor Van der Hart became the third Dutch player in history to play board and one of the first professional player in Netherlands when he joined Lille in 1950. Before that, he played for Ajax. Widely considered one of the best Dutch defender in history. He had 44 caps, but the cap total largely was limited because the KNVB suspended all players that left the country to play professional football during his prime.
CB: Barry Hulshoff (Netherlands)
Barry Hulshoff was a part of the legendary Ajax team that won three straight European Cups in 1971, 1972 and 1973. He played for them, between 1965 and 1977. He also won seven league titles. He later played Grazer AK for 2 seasons in Austria before retiring from playing. He earned 12 caps for the Netherlands national football team between 1971 and 1973. He represented them at the World Cup Finals in 1974.
CB/LB: Frank De Boer (Netherlands)
At one point, Frank De Boer was Netherlands' most capped player. He was a part of Ajax's Champions' League winning team in 1995. He was an important player in the late 1990's. He captained the Oranje to the semi-finals of both the 1998 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2000. He also played with Barcelona for 6 years. His twin brother Ronald also played with him for Oranje.
CM/DM: Edgar Davids (Netherlands)
Nicknamed "the Pitbull", Edgar Davids was one of the greatest defensive midfielders in the world. He won the European Champions' League with Ajax in 1995. He was an important player at the World Cup Finals in 1998 when Netherlands reached the semi-final. He also spent 7 seasons with Juventus at the height of his career. He also played for Tottenham Hotspurs, Barcelona, AC Milan, etc.
CM/CB: Frank Rijkaard (Netherlands)
Frank Rijkaard was one of Netherlands' most important player. Capped 73 times. He won the 1988 European Championship in West Germany. He notably played for Ajax and AC Milan. He spent 5 seasons with AC Milan when Milan was considered the greatest club team in the world. He won two European Cup with them. In 1995, he led a young Ajax team to their famous Champions' League victory. That team is also considered one of the greatest club sides ever.
At one point, Frank De Boer was Netherlands' most capped player. He was a part of Ajax's Champions' League winning team in 1995. He was an important player in the late 1990's. He captained the Oranje to the semi-finals of both the 1998 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2000. He also played with Barcelona for 6 years. His twin brother Ronald also played with him for Oranje.
LB/SW: Ruud Krol (Netherlands
Ruud Krol was one of the most important defenders in Dutch history. He was capped 83 times between 1969 and 1983. He helped Oranje to reach the World Cup Final in both 1974 and 1978. He was a leftback at the World Cup in 1974 and switched to sweeper later in his career. He won three straight European Cups with Ajax in the 1970's. He also played in Italy with Napoli, in France with Cannes and in the NASL with Vancouver Whitecaps. |
| Ruud Krol |
Nicknamed "the Pitbull", Edgar Davids was one of the greatest defensive midfielders in the world. He won the European Champions' League with Ajax in 1995. He was an important player at the World Cup Finals in 1998 when Netherlands reached the semi-final. He also spent 7 seasons with Juventus at the height of his career. He also played for Tottenham Hotspurs, Barcelona, AC Milan, etc.
CM/CB: Frank Rijkaard (Netherlands)
Frank Rijkaard was one of Netherlands' most important player. Capped 73 times. He won the 1988 European Championship in West Germany. He notably played for Ajax and AC Milan. He spent 5 seasons with AC Milan when Milan was considered the greatest club team in the world. He won two European Cup with them. In 1995, he led a young Ajax team to their famous Champions' League victory. That team is also considered one of the greatest club sides ever.
RB/CM: Johan Neeskens (Netherlands)
Johan Neeskens was considered to be one of the greatest Dutch midfielders. He was a crucial component in the Total Football side of the 1970s. He had 49 caps for Netherlands. He led them to two second place finishes at the World Cup Finals in 1974 and 1978. He was Netherlands' top scorer at the 1974 World Cup Finals. He also won three straight European Cups with Ajax: 1971, 1972, 1973. He also played with Barcelona FC and New York Cosmos.
Seedorf is the first player to win three Champion League titles with 3 different clubs. He was a member of the Golden Generation from Ajax that won Champions League in 1995. In 1996, he moved to Real Madrid, where he quickly established himself as a star. He would win two Champions League title there. He later played for both AC Milan and Inter Milan. He was a key player for the Dutch national team where he played 87 times.
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| Clarence Seedorf |
Swart hide the fact that he was Jewish during the War under Nazi Occupation. From 1956 to 1973, he played for Ajax, his only club. He was known as "Mr.Ajax" for playing more games than anyone in the history of the club. He was a part of the team that won three European Cups in the 1970's. From 1960 to 1972, he picked up 31 caps for Netherlands.
LW/RW: Marc Overmars (Netherlands)
Known for his speed, Overmars was a member of the youthful Ajax team that won the European cup in 1995. He moved to Arsenal in 1997, where he starred playing under Arsene Wenger. He won the Double in 1997-1998. He later moved to Barcelona and Go Ahead Eagles. His career with Oranja lasted from 1993 to 2004, and was an important player. He won the Best Young Player Award at 1994 World Cup Finals in the USA.
LW: Piet Keizer (Netherlands)
Piet Keizer was widely considered to be as good as Johan Cruyff while the two of them played together at Ajax, but his career was overshadowed by Cruyff. He was a part of the glorious Ajax team in the 1970's, but only managed one appearance at the World Cup Finals in 1974. In 1973, he was voted by his teammates to become Ajax's captain ahead of Cruyff. Cruyff would leave the team a few weeks later. He played 34 times for Netherlands.
AM: Jari Litmanen (Finland)
Jari Litmanen is probably Finland's greatest player. He was Finland's choice for Jubilee Player for the UEFA award. He became the first Finnish footballing superstar while playing for Ajax in the mid-1990s, winning the Champions League in 1995, the peak year of his career. The team was regarded one of the greatest club sides in recent history. He also played for Barcelona and Liverpool. He earned 137 caps for Finland.
FW: Johan Cruyff (Netherlands)
Johan Cruyff is the greatest Dutch player ever. He won the Ballon d'Or three times, in 1971, 1973 and 1974. He was considered one of the best players in history. He was noted for his brilliant performance at the World Cup in 1974. He also won three straight European Cups with Ajax in the 1970's. He moved to Barcelona in 1973 for a world record transfer fees, where he became a legend. He also played in the NASL.
FW: Dennis Bergkamp (Netherlands)
Bergkamp was the best-known Dutch player of the mid-1990's. He helped Netherlands to reach the semi-final of the 1998 WC Finals in France. His goal vs Argentina at was considered among the best ever scored in WC history. Bergkamp surpassed Faas Wilkes's record to become the country's top goalscorer of all time in 1998. He started with Ajax and played for Inter Milan. He also had a successful career with Arsenal.
Known for his speed, Overmars was a member of the youthful Ajax team that won the European cup in 1995. He moved to Arsenal in 1997, where he starred playing under Arsene Wenger. He won the Double in 1997-1998. He later moved to Barcelona and Go Ahead Eagles. His career with Oranja lasted from 1993 to 2004, and was an important player. He won the Best Young Player Award at 1994 World Cup Finals in the USA.
LW: Piet Keizer (Netherlands)
Piet Keizer was widely considered to be as good as Johan Cruyff while the two of them played together at Ajax, but his career was overshadowed by Cruyff. He was a part of the glorious Ajax team in the 1970's, but only managed one appearance at the World Cup Finals in 1974. In 1973, he was voted by his teammates to become Ajax's captain ahead of Cruyff. Cruyff would leave the team a few weeks later. He played 34 times for Netherlands.
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| Pieter Keizer |
Jari Litmanen is probably Finland's greatest player. He was Finland's choice for Jubilee Player for the UEFA award. He became the first Finnish footballing superstar while playing for Ajax in the mid-1990s, winning the Champions League in 1995, the peak year of his career. The team was regarded one of the greatest club sides in recent history. He also played for Barcelona and Liverpool. He earned 137 caps for Finland.
RW/FW: Jan de Natris (Netherlands)
Jan de Natris was voted as the greatest Ajax player of the first half of the 20th Century. He had three stints for Ajax from 1914 to 1921, 1923 to 1925 and 1928 to 1929, playing alongside with Wim Gupffert. He also played for Vitesse. He played for Holland in the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp, Belgium and the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris, France. FW: Johan Cruyff (Netherlands)
Johan Cruyff is the greatest Dutch player ever. He won the Ballon d'Or three times, in 1971, 1973 and 1974. He was considered one of the best players in history. He was noted for his brilliant performance at the World Cup in 1974. He also won three straight European Cups with Ajax in the 1970's. He moved to Barcelona in 1973 for a world record transfer fees, where he became a legend. He also played in the NASL.
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| Johan Cruyff |
Bergkamp was the best-known Dutch player of the mid-1990's. He helped Netherlands to reach the semi-final of the 1998 WC Finals in France. His goal vs Argentina at was considered among the best ever scored in WC history. Bergkamp surpassed Faas Wilkes's record to become the country's top goalscorer of all time in 1998. He started with Ajax and played for Inter Milan. He also had a successful career with Arsenal.
ST: Patrick Kluivert (Netherlands)
The teenage star of the great Ajax team of 1995. He was also a star with Barcelona. He joined Milan in 1997, but he quickly left for Barcelona a season later. He had a relatively successes at the club, but left for Newcastle United in 2004. His career was never the same due to injuries. He was an important part of the national team from 1996 to 2004. However, his career was shortened due to various issues.
ST: Marco Van Basten (Netherlands)
Van Basten was probably the second best Dutch player and among the best striker in football's history. He won the Ballon d'Or three times. He led Oranje to the victory at Euro 1988 scoring 5 goals at the tournament. His goal in the Final is considered one of the best in history of the tournament. He started his career with Ajax. He also won two European Cups with AC Milan, a club team that was considered the best ever.
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| Marco Van Basten |
Eddy Pieters Graafland (Netherlands), Heinz Stuy (Germany), Jasper Cillessen (Netherlands), André Onana (Cameroon), Jan Vertonghen (Belgium), Ronald Koeman (Netherlands), Danny Blind (Netherlands), Matthijs de Ligt (Netherlands), John Heitinga (Netherlands), Winston Bogarde (Netherlands), Richard Witschge (Netherlands), Sonny Silooy (Netherlands), Gregory van der Wiel (Netherlands), Hatem Trabelsi (Tunisia), Horst Blankenburg (Germany), Wim Jonk (Netherlands), Gerrie Muhren (Netherlands), Arnold Muhren (Netherlands), Tschen La Ling (Netherlands), K, Dušan Tadić (Serbia), Simon Tahamata (Netherlands),Wim Anderiesen (Netherlands), Gerald Vanenburg (Netherlands), Aron Winter (Netherlands), Bryan Roy (Netherlands), Rafael Van der Vaart (Netherlands), Wesley Sneijder (Netherlands), Nigel De Jong (Netherlands), Bennie Muller (Netherlands), Ronald De Boer (Netherlands), Finidi George (Nigeria), Michael Laudrup (Denmark), Brian Laudrup (Denmark), Piet van Reenen (Netherlands), Kwankwo Kanu (Nigeria), Ruud Geels (Netherlands), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden), Luis Suarez (Uruguay), Frank Arnesen (Denmark), Jan Huntelaar (Netherlands).
Squad Explanation
-- This team was updated in September, 2024.
-- Ajax's greatest ever players are well-documented. Johan Cruyff, Johan Neeskens, Frank Rijaard, Marco Van Basten, Denis Bergkamp and Ruud Krol are automatic selections. Edwin Van Der Sar and Piet Keizer are also close.
-- The largest contingent of my team came from the 1970's, where Ajax won three straight European Cup: Johan Cruyff, Johan Neeskens, Johnny Rep, Sjaak Swart, Velibor Vasović, Piet Keizer, Wim Suurbier, Arie Haan, Ruud Krol and Barry Hulshoff.
-- The largest contingent of my team came from the 1970's, where Ajax won three straight European Cup: Johan Cruyff, Johan Neeskens, Johnny Rep, Sjaak Swart, Velibor Vasović, Piet Keizer, Wim Suurbier, Arie Haan, Ruud Krol and Barry Hulshoff.
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| Ajax won three straight European Cup in the 1970's. |
-- -- The Ajax team of 1995 was considered one of the greatest in modern era. The team won the UEFA Champions League in 1995, defeating AC Milan in the final with a young and talented squad. They also rertuned to the Final the following year narrowly losing to Juventus through a penalty shootout. I selected Edwin Van Der Sar, Jari Litmanen, Clarence Seedort, Patrick Kluivert, Edgar Davids, Michael Reiziger, Marc Overmars and Frank De Boer on my all-time team.
-- It is difficult to break into the team for players after 1995. I only selected Maaten Skekelenburg. I tended to prefer players who the big trophies. Only 5 players selected did not win an European Cup or Champions' League. Dennis Bergkamp was one of them.
-- The majority of the squad is home grown. Piet Schrijvers, Marc Overmars and Johan Neeskens played elsewhere before joining Ajax. Edwin Van Sar was not from the academy, but he never played first team club football elsewhere before playing for Ajax. Marco Van Basten was not from the academy, but he joined the club as a 16 years old and made his debut as a 17 years old.
-- Only two foreign players were selected onto the team. Velibor Vasović was probably Ajax's most important defender after Ruud Krol. Jari Litmanen led the young 1995 team to European glories.
-- Only two foreign players were selected onto the team. Velibor Vasović was probably Ajax's most important defender after Ruud Krol. Jari Litmanen led the young 1995 team to European glories.
-- In 2024, Ajax Daily unveiled their Dream All-Time 11. The lineup was as followed: Edwin van der Sar, Wim Suubier, Danny Blind, Frank de Boer, Ruud Krol, Frank Rijkaard, Edgar Davids, Johan Neeskens, Johan Cruyff, Marco van Basten, and Dennis Bergkamp.
Goalkeepers
-- By reputation, Edwin Van de sar is considered the greatest Dutch goalkeeper of all-time. In Amsterdam, he won the 1995 Champions' League.
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| Edwin Van de sar |
-- Maarten Stekelenburg spent 9 seasons in Ajax during one of the club's less successful periods. Without him, Ajax's struggles would have been even more pronounced, making him the bright spot in a darker age.
-- I also looked into Jasper Cillessen who was known for being Netherlands' first choice goalkeeper as they finished third in the 2014 World Cup Finals. André Onana helped Ajax to reach the Final of the Europa Cup in 2017 as well as the semifinal of the Champions' League in 2019. Eddy Pieters Graafland was more of a star player for Feyenoord.
Defenders
-- In the star-studded Ajax team of the 1970s, filled with talented Dutch players, their captain was a Yugoslavian. Velibor Vasović played a pivotal role as one of the leaders of the golden Ajax era that left its mark on European football in the early seventies. He was also a pioneer libero. Then, I took his defensive partner Barry Hulshoff who continued to form another famous duo with Horst Blankenburg. However, I did not have a spot for Blankenburg, despite his significant contributions to the team during the 1970s. His absence may have been due to his limited international exposure, as he never earned a cap for Germany. Interestingly, Johan Cruyff extended an invitation for him to represent the Netherlands. Personally, I believe Blankenburg was often underrated.
-- Cor Van der Hart became the third Dutch player in history to play board and one of the first professional player in Netherlands when he joined Lille in 1950. Then, I selected Ruud Krol and Frank De Boer who could also play as left backs. Frank Rijkaard and Ariel Haan also played as a central defender. This position is packed.
-- Ronald Koeman only spent three seasons here while winning just a single league title. He was a young player, but already an emerging star player. However, his departure to PSV winning 3 straight league titles and an European Cup, making him a PSV legend. I could not bear to select him. Jaap Stam's best years were spent elsewhere. He was not considered. Besides, his position has been filled up by legends such as Velibor Vasović, Cor Van der Hart, Arie Haan, Ruud Krol and Barry Hulshoff. Danny Blind was one of the last players dropped. His second stint was better than his first stint. In 2024, I added Jan Vertonghen and Matthijs de Ligt to the Honorable Mentions.
-- For rightbacks, Wim Suurbier is considered among the best ever rightback in history. In 1994, Louis van Gaal converted Michael Reiziger into a right wingback, and he helped them to win the Champions' League. Reiziger made the squad ahead of bigger names such as Ariel Haan because the team needed a backup rightback. Sonny Silooy, Gregory van der Wiel and Hatem Trabelsi were the other choices.
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| Wim Suuribier |
-- The leftback was an easy choices. Ruud Krol was one of Ajax's greatest players. And then, I had Frank De Boer. With him as left back, Ajax won the UEFA Cup in 1992 and the Champions League in 1995.
Midfielders/Wingers
-- Frank Rijkaard was considered to be Netherlands' greatest defensive midfielders. His veteran leadership helped Ajax to win the 1995 Champions' League. Jochan Neeskens was another greatest ever players for Ajax and Netherlands. He was probably the second most important player in Ajax's history. The pair was undisputed. I also added Ariel Haan who was a key player from the 1970's.
-- Outside of the Netherlandfs, Arnold Mühren might be a more famous player than his elder brother Gerrie. Arnold Mühren later had a memorable career playing in England. He was also the player who crossed the ball that Marco Van Basten scored in the Final of Euro1988. So he became a household name. However, Gerrie Mühren was the better of the two. He was the unsung hero during Ajax's glorious era in the 1970's. He sometimes listed as one of Ajax's greatest ever players. However, I did not have a spot for Gerrie Muhren. Instead, I took Edgar Davids. Davids' combative style would benefit the team. He also had a better international reputation than Gerrie Muhren who did not participate in the 1974 World Cup Finals.
-- Denis Bergkamp was one of Ajax's greatest product. Due to his international reputation, Denis Bergkamp was more famous than Litmanen, but Litmanen did more for Ajax. Litmanen was a key player for Ajax's 1995 Champions' League victory. Johan Cruyff could also be seen as an attack midfielder. Clarence Seedorf was Ajax's youngest ever debutant.
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| Dennis Bergkamp |
-- Soren Lerby, Jan Wouters, Gerald Vanenburg, Ronald De Boer, Aron Winter, Rafael van der Vaart, Christian Eriksen and Aron Winter were some of Ajax's greatest midfielders who did not make the cut.
-- Michael Laudrup was invited by Ajax manager and fellow Dane Morten Olsen to join the club. He only spent a season here. His transfer to Ajax was a shocker, given the club seldom signed big name players.
-- Sjaak Swart was considered one of Ajax's greatest footballers. Jan de Nitrus was voted as the greatest Ajax player in the first half of the 20th Century. Johnny Rep was a very important player, but I already had Swart and De Nitrus on the team. Dennis Bergkamp was also regularly used as a false striker or right winger at Ajax.
-- During their time playing together at Ajax, Piet Keizer was often regarded as equal in skill to Johan Cruyff. Together, he and Ruud Krol composed a formidable wing attack on the left during the 1970's. At Ajax, Marc Overmars was mainly a left winger.
Forwards
-- Johan Cruyff needed no introduction. Without him, Ajax would not be the same. His career here put Dutch football on the map.
-- Marco Van Basten and Dennis Berghamp were remembered for thei club careers elsewhere, but both of whom were established stars in Ajax. ands. Van Basten actually spent 6 seasons with the first team here, scoring over 150 goals. He was the Eredivisie Top Scorer 4 times in a row. In the 1985-1986, he won European Golden Boot. So, he was an emerging player in Amsterdam. Meanwhile, Berghamp was not just a rising star in Dutch football while with Ajax. He finished 2nd in the Ballon D'or in 1993. He won multiple prestigious awards in the Netherlands. He was the Dutch Footballer of the Year in 1991 and 1992, and the Eredivisie top scorer title for three consecutive seasons from 1990 to 1993.
-- Having a tough time making the final decision for the last player, I ultimately opted for Piet van Reenen. I do not know enough about him, but he is Ajax's all-time leading scorer. Johnny Rep, Wesley Sneijder and Jan Wouters were the other choices. Rep was a good candidate due to his capacity to operate as a striker, despite the fact that I didn't require him in the right winger position. Sneijder enjoyed a five-season tenure at Ajax, with only three of those seasons truly standing out. His time coincided with the rise of multiple talented young players. Despite this, his trophy haul during this period was relatively modest. While he would later attain superstar status in Dutch football, his career in Ajax was somewhat eclipsed by the likes of Bergkamp, Litmanen, and Seedorf. I did not need Wouters because the team already has Frank Rijkaard, Edgar Davids, Johan Neeskens and Clarence Seedorf. Arie Haan also played as a defensive midfielder.
-- Zlatan Ibrahimovic played as many games as Patrick Kluivert and scored as many goals at Ajax. Luis Suarez's numbers were even better. However, Kluivert was a Champions' League winning hero and a home-grown talent. Thus, Kluivert made the team.
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| Rijkaard with a young Kluivert |
Formation
4-3-3
This is the classic formation used by Ajax and Netherlands in the 1970's. I changed the tactics so that I could include Van Basten. Both Ajax and Netherlands in the 1970's did not have a striker liked Van Basten.
4-3-3
This is the classic formation used by Ajax and Netherlands in the 1970's. I changed the tactics so that I could include Van Basten. Both Ajax and Netherlands in the 1970's did not have a striker liked Van Basten.
Maybe km a couple years late, bit good effort, not 100% surf of al l the picks but its ok. You left out Danny Blind of the honorable mentions, same with the Laudrup Brothers, specially Michael. And if you even considered Stam as a CB then Koeman should've been un the roster forma shure. Swart definetly should make the 25 man cut. And finally you included Schrijvers as the 3rd GK and to times un the honorable mentions.
ReplyDeletewell noted.
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