This blogger Artur Yanturin of Russia copied many of my blog teams. This blog was one of them. It was my Russia All-Time Team here. His team was written in 2020, but mine was uploaded in 2014. His Spartak Moscow All-Time team entry of was published in October 2020, but mine was uploaded in 2017. His entry of the Dutch-German rivalry between Real Madrid and Barcelona was written in 2020, but mine was uploaded in 2014. He also copied many many of my blog entries.
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| Finidi George and Kwankwo Kanu |
Some of the best posts from this blog have been turned into a two-volume book: The Multiverse of the Beautiful Game: National Teams of Pure Fantasy.
Volume 1 takes you back in time and asks the questions every football fan has dreamed about. What if Brazil had a more beautiful team in 1982 — would they have cruised to the title? What if the United Kingdom could send its team to the 1970 World Cup? I believe they would have been the strongest side on earth. What if Argentina had fielded both Omar Sivori and Alfredo Di Stéfano together in 1958? What if Johan Cruyff had lined up alongside Marco van Basten, Ruud Gullit, and Frank Rijkaard? What if Eusébio had played for Brazil? And that's only scratching the surface — Volume 1 is packed with legendary "what ifs" that will keep you turning pages.
Volume 2 brings the fantasy closer to home. What if England had Michael Olise, Erling Haaland and others in 2026 — could they go all the way? What if Yugoslavia had gone to the World Cup in 2018? What if the United States could select more players in 2010? It would be the greatest American side ever. And what if Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi had actually played for the same national team in 2006? It could have happened — if the soccer gods had smiled on us.
Please also see my All-Time World Cup Team Index
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)
AFC Ajax at the time of writing has won the European Cup/Champions' league 4 times, making them one of 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. 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. 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. The largest contingent of foreign players over here are Danes, followed by Belgians and Argentine.
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| Jesper Olsen, Jan Molby, and Soren Lerby |
Team
GK: André Onana (Cameroon)
Born in Nkol Ngok, Andre Onana joined Barcelona in 2010, after starting out at the Samuel Eto'o Foundation. He joined Dutch club Ajax in July 2015. He made his debut for Jong Ajax in the Eerste Divisie in February 2015. Since 2016, he is the starter for the Dutch Club. He was the few staqrting Black goalkeeper in a major European country. Since 2018, he played 18 times for Cameroon. He was named Indomitable Lion of the Year (Cameroonian footballer of the year) in 2018.
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| André Onana |
GK: Bogdan Lobonț (Romania)
Lobonțe was popularly nicknamed Motanul ("The Tomcat") in Romania, due to his quick reflexes and relative small body frame for a goalkeeper. He was capped 86 times for Romania between 1998 and 2018. He went to UEFA Euro 2000 and Euro 2008. For his club career, he had played for Corvinul Hunedoara, Rapid București, Ajax, Forientina and AS Roma.
GK: Hans Vonk (South Africa)
Hans Vonk was the starting keeper for South Africa at the 1998 World Cup Finals. He played mainly in the Dutch league, notably with Heerenveen. He also spent time with Ajax Amsterdam as well as Ajax Cape Town. He was capped for Holland at the youth level before representing South Africa 47 times at the senior level between 1997 and 2005. Vonk was born in South Africa.
RB: Hatem Trabelsi (Tunisia)
Hatem Trabelsi has represented the Tunisia in three World Cups, gaining a total of 66 cap. He was a part of the national team's 2004 African Nations' Cup winning team. He spent 6 years with Ajax, where he was regarded as one of the best rightback playing in Europe and probably the most well-known player from his country. He has also played for CS Sfaxien, Manchester City and Al-Hilal Riyadh.
Hatem Trabelsi has represented the Tunisia in three World Cups, gaining a total of 66 cap. He was a part of the national team's 2004 African Nations' Cup winning team. He spent 6 years with Ajax, where he was regarded as one of the best rightback playing in Europe and probably the most well-known player from his country. He has also played for CS Sfaxien, Manchester City and Al-Hilal Riyadh.
CB: Velibor Vasovic (Yugoslavia)
Velibor Vasovic was considered one of the greatest sweeper ever played the game. He was a legend at FK Partizan. 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.
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| Velibor Vasovic |
CB: Toby Alderweireld (Belgium)
Alderweireld began his professional career at Ajax. In 2013, he moved to Atlético Madrid, where he won La Liga and reached the Champions League final in his first season. Since 2015, he has been playing with Tottenham Hotspurs. At the time of writing, he has over 90 caps. He went to 2014 and 2018 World Cup Finals as well as the Euro 2016.
SW: Horst Blankenburg (Germany)
Blankenburg played with Nürnberg, Wiener Sportclub and TSV 1860 München before he joined Ajax Amsterdam in 1970. In 5 seasons at Ajax he won the European Cup 3 years in a row, and was known for his partnership with Velibor Vasović. For international football, he was never capped by West Germany largely because playing in the same time as Franz Beckenbauer. Johan Cruijff asked him to play for Holland in the 1974 World Cup but he refused.
Blankenburg played with Nürnberg, Wiener Sportclub and TSV 1860 München before he joined Ajax Amsterdam in 1970. In 5 seasons at Ajax he won the European Cup 3 years in a row, and was known for his partnership with Velibor Vasović. For international football, he was never capped by West Germany largely because playing in the same time as Franz Beckenbauer. Johan Cruijff asked him to play for Holland in the 1974 World Cup but he refused.
CB/LB: Jan Vertonghen (Belgium)
Jan Vertonghen began his career with Ajax in 2016, where he was Dutch Footballer of the Year in 2012. In 2012, he moved to Tottenham Hotspurs. He is considered one of the best defenders in the Premiership. At the time of writing, he had ever 100 caps. He played in both 2014 and 2018 World Cup Finals. He was an important part of the team that reached the semifinal in 2018.
Jan Vertonghen began his career with Ajax in 2016, where he was Dutch Footballer of the Year in 2012. In 2012, he moved to Tottenham Hotspurs. He is considered one of the best defenders in the Premiership. At the time of writing, he had ever 100 caps. He played in both 2014 and 2018 World Cup Finals. He was an important part of the team that reached the semifinal in 2018.
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| Jan Vertonghen |
Christian Chivu was most prominently played professionally for Ajax and Inter Milan. His honours at Inter included a treble of league, cup and the UEFA Champions League in 2010. Chivu's first professional clubs were FCM Reșița and FC Universitatea Craiova. He also played for Ajax and Roma before joining Inter Milan. He earned 75 caps between 1999 and 2010, and was part of Romania's squads for UEFA European Championships in 2000 and 2008.
LB: Maxwell (Brazil)
Maxwell started his career at Cruzeiro. In 2001, he joined AFC Ajax. Maxwell played his best season for Ajax in the 2003–04 season, becoming the Dutch Footballer of the Year. Then, he played for Inter Milan, Barcelona, and PSG. Between 2013 and 2014, he played 10 times for Brazil, including a single appearance at the 2014 World Cup Finals against the Netherlands.
DM: Lasse Schöne (Denmark)
Schöne started with Heerenveen in 2005 before moving to De Graafschap after a season in 2006. He spent 4 seasons with NEC. Between 2012 and 2020, he played for Ajax, before moving to Genoa in 2020. Between 2009 and now, he played 50 times for Denmark. He went to the 2018 World Cup Finals, but he missed the 2010 tournament because of an injury.
CM: Sunday Oliseh (Nigeria)
Sunday Oliseh was a member of the Golden Generation in the 1990's. He won the Gold Medal at Atlanta 1996 and appeared in the World Cup Finals in 1994 and 1998. He scored the winning goal against Spain in 1998. For his club career, he played for many clubs, including stints with Ajax Amsterdam, FC Koln, Juventus, Borussia Dortmund, Bochum, Genk, etc.
CM: Jan Molby (Denmark)
Jan Molby won 33 caps for Denmark from 1982 to 1990, scoring two goals. He was a key member of the "Dynamite" Denmark which lit up the 1984 European Championship and 1986 World Cup. His national team career ended after his feud with Richard Møller Nielsen. He notably spent twelve years playing in England with Liverpool between 1984 and 1996. He also played for Kolding, Ajax and Swansea.
Jan Molby won 33 caps for Denmark from 1982 to 1990, scoring two goals. He was a key member of the "Dynamite" Denmark which lit up the 1984 European Championship and 1986 World Cup. His national team career ended after his feud with Richard Møller Nielsen. He notably spent twelve years playing in England with Liverpool between 1984 and 1996. He also played for Kolding, Ajax and Swansea.
RM/AM/CM: Frank Arnesen (Denmark)
Arnesen moved from his childhood club Fremad Amager, in the lower leagues of Danish football, to Ajax in 1975. He played there until 1981 when he joined Valencia and two years later he went to RSC Anderlecht. In 1985, Arnesen returned to the Netherlands to play for PSV Eindhoven, winning the 1988 European Cup. He was capped 52 times and scored 14 goals for the Danish national team, and participated in the Euro 1984 and 1986 FIFA World Cup tournaments.
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| Frank Arnesen |
Soren Lerby was most prominently played professionally for Dutch clubs Ajax and PSV Eindhoven, winning five Eredivisie championships with Ajax and the 1988 European Cup with PSV. He also played for Bayern Munich between 1983 and 1986. He also played for AS Monaco. At the international level, he had 67 caps for Denmark. He was a key member of the Danish team known as "Dynamite Denmark", Euro 1984 and the 1986 World Cup team that dazzled the world.
is the joint most capped Nigerian player alongside Kanu Nwankwo with 86 games. He is the first player in Africa to play in five consecutive African Cup of Nations from 1976 to 1984. He was a member of the Nigerian team that won the African Cup of Nations in 1980 and was a legend with the famous Nigerian club (IICC Shooting Stars) in his playing days. - See more at: http://www.rascojet.com/blog/2011/12/10-nigerian-soccer-players/#sthash.OEQ9zUtR.dpuf
is the joint most capped Nigerian player alongside Kanu Nwankwo with 86 games. He is the first player in Africa to play in five consecutive African Cup of Nations from 1976 to 1984. He was a member of the Nigerian team that won the African Cup of Nations in 1980 and was a legend with the famous Nigerian club (IICC Shooting Stars) in his playing days. - See more at: http://www.rascojet.com/blog/2011/12/10-nigerian-soccer-players/#sthash.OEQ9zUtR.dpuf
RW: Finidi George (Nigeria)
Finidi George was a member of Ajax Amsterdam that won the 1995 Champions' League. The team was considered one of the greatest club sides in history. He also played for Real Betis, Mallorca and Ipswich Town. He was a key member of Nigeria's Golden Generation in the 1990's. He played in two World Cup Finals: 1994 and 1998. He was also a member of the team that won the African Cup of Nations in 1994. He has 62 caps in total between 1991 and 2002.
RW/AM/SS: Brian Laudrup (Denmark)
Brian Laudrup is Michael's younger brother. He won the Danish Footballer of the Year award a record four times. At the international level, he played 82 games and scored 21 goals for Denmark, and was a key player of the Danish teams who won the Euro 1992 and 1995 Confederations cup. For club football, he played for Brondy, Bayern Munich, AC Milan, Forientina, Ajax, Chelsea, etc. He was probably remembered as a member of Glasgow Rangers.
Brian Laudrup is Michael's younger brother. He won the Danish Footballer of the Year award a record four times. At the international level, he played 82 games and scored 21 goals for Denmark, and was a key player of the Danish teams who won the Euro 1992 and 1995 Confederations cup. For club football, he played for Brondy, Bayern Munich, AC Milan, Forientina, Ajax, Chelsea, etc. He was probably remembered as a member of Glasgow Rangers.
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| Brian Laudrup |
Tadić spent his youth at hometown club AIK Bačka Topola and Vojvodina, eventually playing in the UEFA Europa League with the latter. After two seasons with FC Groningen he joined FC Twente in 2012. He played Southampton between 2014 and 2018. He joined Ajax. For Serbia, he had over 70 caps. He went to the 2018 World Cup Finals.
LW: Jesper Olsen (Denmark)
Olsen started his senior career for Næstved IF in 1977. He made his debut for the national team in 1980, but it was only in July 1981 that he moved to play professionally for Ajax. Between 1984 and 1988, he played for Manchester United. Later, he played for Bordeaux and Caen. He picked up 43 caps for Denmark. He was a part of Danish Dynamite. He represented Denmark at the Euro 1984 and 1986 World Cup tournaments.
AM: Jari Litmanen (Finland)
Jari Litmanen is probably Finland's greatest player. 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.
Jari Litmanen is probably Finland's greatest player. 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.
AM/FW: Michael Laudrup (Denmark)
Michael Laudrup was the Golden Boy of the "Dynamite" Denmark at the 1986 World Cup Finals in Mexico. He is regarded as Denmark's greatest offensive players. He played 104 times for Denmark. In 1999, he was voted the Best Foreign Player in Spanish Football over the preceding 25-year period. He won five straight La Liga titles 4 with Barcelona and then, one more with Real Madrid. He also played with Brondby, Lazio, Juventus, Kobe Vessels and Ajax.
Michael Laudrup was the Golden Boy of the "Dynamite" Denmark at the 1986 World Cup Finals in Mexico. He is regarded as Denmark's greatest offensive players. He played 104 times for Denmark. In 1999, he was voted the Best Foreign Player in Spanish Football over the preceding 25-year period. He won five straight La Liga titles 4 with Barcelona and then, one more with Real Madrid. He also played with Brondby, Lazio, Juventus, Kobe Vessels and Ajax.
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| Michael Laudrup |
Nwankwo Kanu was voted as Nigeria's greatest player. He captained Nigeria's Gold Medal team at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. He was African Player of the Year in 1996 and 1999. He was a member of Ajax that won the 1995 Champions' League and considered one of the greatest club sides in history. Because of a heart condition, his career in Italy was interrupted and joined Arsenal in 1999, where he enjoyed 6 great seasons and won two Premiership.
ST: Luis Suarez (Uruguay)
Luis Suarez both the 2013-2014 FWA and the PFA Player of the Year while playing for Liverpool in England. He was also the European Golden Shoe winner that year. Unfortunately, he was known for biting an opponent at a few occasions. With Barcelona, he was a part of the MSN line. For Uruguay, he helped them to win the Copa America in 2011 and controversially a 4th place finish at 2010 WC Finals.
Luis Suarez both the 2013-2014 FWA and the PFA Player of the Year while playing for Liverpool in England. He was also the European Golden Shoe winner that year. Unfortunately, he was known for biting an opponent at a few occasions. With Barcelona, he was a part of the MSN line. For Uruguay, he helped them to win the Copa America in 2011 and controversially a 4th place finish at 2010 WC Finals.
ST: Stefan Pettersson (Sweden)
Pettersson started his career with IFK Västerås. He began his Allsvenskan career with IFK Norrköping. With IFK Göteborg he won the UEFA Cup victory in 1987, in which he scored in the final itself against Dundee United. Between 1988 and 1994, he played for AFC Ajax. In 1992, he won the UEFA Cup again, also scoring in the final again, this time a penalty. He won a total of 31 caps for Sweden, scoring 4 goals and was a member of the 1990 World Cup team.
ST: Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic was born in Sweden of Bosnian-Croat origin. He won Sweden Player of the Year 11 times. He was the Serie A Player of the Year for 5 times. He played with Malmo, Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona, AC Milan, Paris St.Germain and now, Manchester United. He is currently the second-most decorated active footballer in the world, having won 32 trophies in his career. At the time of writing, he has over 116 caps. He is the all-time leading scorer for Sweden.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic was born in Sweden of Bosnian-Croat origin. He won Sweden Player of the Year 11 times. He was the Serie A Player of the Year for 5 times. He played with Malmo, Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona, AC Milan, Paris St.Germain and now, Manchester United. He is currently the second-most decorated active footballer in the world, having won 32 trophies in his career. At the time of writing, he has over 116 caps. He is the all-time leading scorer for Sweden.
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| Zlatan Ibrahimovic |
Honorable Mention
Hans Vonk (South Africa), Hakim Ziyech (Morocco), Felix Gasselich (Austria). Werner Schaaphok (Germany), Eyong Enoh (Cameroon), Shota Arveladze (Georgia), Thomas Vermaelen (Belgium), CB Julien Escudé (France), Arkadiusz Milik (Poland), Benni McCarthy (South Africa), Gabri (Spain), Wamberto (Brazil), Peter Larsson (Sweden), Nikolaos Machlas (Greece), Mido (Egypt), Nicolás Tagliafico (Argentina), Dani (Portugal), Ray Clarke (England), Werner Schaaphok (Germany), Tomáš Galásek (Czech Republic), Zdeněk Grygera (Czech Republic), Miralem Sulejmani (Serbia), Steven Pienaar (South Africa), Inge Danielsson (Sweden).
Squad Explanation
-- Only two foreigners are on my Ajax All-Time team. They are Velibor Vasovic (Yugoslavia) and Jari Litmanen (Finland). I need twenty-three players to replace the Dutch footballers.
-- According to Transfermarkt, 26 Danes have played for Ajax.
Michael Laudrup, Brian Laudrup, Jan Molby, Lasse Schöne, Soren Lerby, Jesper Olsen and Frank Arnesen made this team. Christian Eriksen and Jesper Grønkjær just missed the cut.
-- Kwankwo Kanu, Finedi George and Jari Litmanen played with the 1995 team, a team considered among the greatest club sides.
-- André Onana is the only foreign goalkeeper who is a long term starter for Ajax. Hans Vonk and Bogdan Lobonț also played many games, but mainly as backups.
-- Horst Blankenburg (Germany) and Velibor Vasovic (Yugoslavia) were among the greatest sweepers ever played the game.
-- Then, I have to choose among the three Belgian centerbacks. Toby Alderweireld, Thomas Vermaelen and Jan Vertonghen played with each other around the same time. Jan Vertonghen was homegrown. He was Ajax Player of the Year and Dutch Footballer of the Year in 2012. The choices were actually between Alderweireld and Vermaelen.
-- Cristian Chivu was the captain of Ajax. He usually played as a leftback. Maxwell won the Dutch Player of the Year and the Golden Boot in 2004. I only selected a single rightback, Hatem Trabelsi, but Zdeněk Grygera deserved a spot.
-- Werner Schaaphok was born in Germany, but took up a Dutch surname from his stepfather. He received a Dutch national team call-up, but he could not play because he held a German passport. I do not know how to classify him. He is on my honorable mention.
-- Both of the Laudrup brothers spent a season each. Manager Morten Olsen brought Michael to the team in 1997. Ajax seldom signed any big named players, and this itself should be a factor for his selection. Michael Laudrup played 21 games scoring 11 goals for Ajax (1997-98). He was fondly remembered for his time here. He earned his spot by being "Michael Laudrup" and playing well.
-- Brian Laudrup's goal against Williem II is still considered one of the greatest goals in the club's history. However, I already have Finidi George (Nigeria) and Frank Arnesen (right midfielder). George was an important member of the 1995 team whil Arnesen was probably one of the greatest foreign ever to wear the Ajax shirt. With only a single and trophyless season here, Brian Laudrup was a borderline case. In the end, I gave him the last spot (see the last paragraph).
-- The midfielders selected were Sunday Oliseh, Loren Lerby, Jan Mølby and Lasse Schone. Arnesen probably belonged to the midfield as well. He was a right midfielder in a 4-3-3 formation.
--Jan Mølby was for starring for Liverpool and Denmark, but he left Ajax as a 21 years old. He was still developing as a player. Lasse Schone played more games than any foreigner in Ajax's history. Tomáš Galásek does not have name recognition as the other midfielders. He only made honorable mention.
-- Right winger Tijani Babangida (Nigeria) was highly rated, but I have Finidi George and Frank Arnesen. He also lacked the international reputation as his compatriot Finidi George.
-- Jesper Olsen earned the nickname De Vlo (The Flea) in Ajax. His transfer to Manchester United was a big news at the time. He was compared to George Best by the English media. Logically, I would have taken Jesper Grønkjær for the backup left winger. He was Ajax Player of the Year. Instead, I took Dušan Tadić (Serbia) over him. Tadić was a natural playmaker, a position that I already have Michael Laudrup and Jari Litmanen. However, Ajax often used him on the left side. He made the Ballon d'Or shortlist for the 2018-2019 as well as finishing as the joint top-scorer in the league. Miralem Sulejmani did not live up his price tag, the Dutch record at the time. I also considered Steven Pienaar for the left wing.
-- Since I already have too many attack midfielders, I have no space for Christian Eriksen. He was home grown and probably contributed more to Ajax than both Laudrups, but it is difficult to select him over the Laudrups. I also took Dušan Tadić (Serbia) over him because Tadic played on the left side. Eriksen had also played on the right as well as on the left flank, but Tadic played on the side regularly.
-- Henning Jensen played with Frank Arnesen and Søren Lerby, but his time here was at the end of his career.
-- Hakim Ziyech (Morocco) was born in the Netherlands. He opted to play for Morocco. At this stage, he is too young to be considered. Furthermore, his position is taken by some of Ajax's all-timers.
-- Eddy Hamel was the club's first Jewish player. Although he was born in NYC, I considered him as a Dutch player.
-- Three attackers stood out from the rest. Luis Suarez won the Dutch Player of the Year in 2010. He scored over 80 goals for the club. Stefan Pettersson scored 99 goals for the club. Zlatan Ibrahimovic's individual goal against NAC Breda on 22 August 2004 is considered one of Ajax's greatest goals. He also has an international reputation unmatched by any other player unconsidered.
-- Christian Eriksen, Jesper Grønkjær, Kwankwo Kanu and Brian Laudrup fought over the last two remaining spots. Kanu was from the 1995 team. I cannot exclude him from this team, can't I? He played three seasons here, but he was seldom used young player in his first season. So he had just one more good season than Brian Laudrup. Jesper Grønkjær did not have the same international recognition as Brian Laudrup and it was also hard to select another Dane over Brian Laudrup. The same applied to Christian Eriksen. In the end, I took Kanu and Brian Laudrup.
-- Inge Danielsson (Sweden) helped Ajax to reach the 1969 European Cup Final playing next to Johan Cruyff. Arkadiusz Milik (Poland), Benni McCarthy (South Africa), Wamberto (Brazil), Nikolaos Machlas (Greece), Mido (Egypt) and Shota Arveladze (Georgia) all deserved a mention.
Formation
I cannot field two sweepers. So I dropped Horst Blankenburg for Velibor Vasovic. In Ajax, Jari Litmanen was a bigger star than Michael Laudrup so he got to be the playmaker. Laudrup could play anywhere in attack. He switched to the right, a position that his brother played before. Luis Suarez on the wing might not be his ideal position, but he was used as a wing forward while in Liverpool.
Jesper Olsen and Finidi George on the wings might be a more realistic formation. Luis Suarez scored more goals than Zlatan Ibrahimovic here. So he becomes my starter.
