++ [ originally posted by Matto ] ++
Van Basten rated higher than Cruyff? Oh my word no. Cruyff ... he's a living legend, a superstar, an idol, a national hero. You can ridicule our culture, spit on our queen but don't you dare touch Johan Cruyff, you'll be hanged from the first tree in sight.
Marco van Basten, on the other hand, is rated way below him. But still in good company with the likes of Neeskens etc.
But Cruyff ... no, he's something else. When Cruyff speaks, Holland listens and obeys. Even those stubborn fools of the FA.
I understand that since Cruyff led the legendary Ajax of the early 70's to European glory he might have left a more profound mark in the hearts of the dutch fans, but from a strictly personal record point of view, Van Basten cannot be rated as just "way below him".
Van Basten dominated the scene in the late 80's/early 90's as much as Cruyff did in his time. Just like the latter became the high priest of Total Football, he defined the canons of the modern centre-forward : physical strength, pace, agility, technical skills and flair.
Cruyff took the Netherlands to the WC final in '74 (unluckily losing it), but his teammates did not suffer his absence 4 years later, as they yet again reached the final (and yet again unluckily lost it).
Van Basten was the protagonist of what remains Holland's highest international achievement : the Euro 88 title (whereas his poor form in WC '90 translated into Holland's early demise from the tournament).
Together with Platini they are the only players to have been awarded the Golden Ball three times, but chances are that "the Swan from Utrecht" would have received at least a fourth one had he not been irremediably crippled by injuries.
Anyway, did Holland listen carefully to Cruyff when he solemnly stated that
"the difference between Milan and us is that they bought Dessailly whereas we bought Romario, this will be for all to see" the night before the 1994 CL final between Milan and Barcelona (final score 4-0)?
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