Led by the Total Football revolution, the Netherlands has given football more ideas than almost any nation. We ranked the players who carried those ideas onto the pitch and won at the very highest level.

1. 1

   Johan Cruyff

   Ajax / Barcelona · Netherlands

   The philosopher-player at the heart of Total Football, and a three-time Ballon d’Or winner who reshaped the game twice.

2. 2

   Marco van Basten

   AC Milan · Netherlands

   Three Ballons d’Or and the most elegant centre-forward of his time, crowned by a stunning Euro 88 volley.

3. 3

   Ruud Gullit

   AC Milan · Netherlands

   A powerful, all-action captain who led the Dutch to Euro 88 and won the 1987 Ballon d’Or.

4. 4

   Dennis Bergkamp

   Arsenal · Netherlands

   A forward of sublime touch and imagination who defined Arsenal’s finest era.

5. 5

   Frank Rijkaard

   AC Milan / Ajax · Netherlands

   A commanding midfielder and defender at the core of the great Milan and Ajax sides.

6. 6

   Johan Neeskens

   Ajax · Netherlands

   Cruyff’s dynamic midfield partner and the engine of the 1974 World Cup finalists.

7. 7

   Ruud van Nistelrooy

   Manchester United · Netherlands

   A pure penalty-box predator whose scoring runs were the stuff of records.

8. 8

   Arjen Robben

   Bayern Munich · Netherlands

   Unstoppable cutting in from the right, and the scorer of Bayern’s Champions League-winning goal.

9. 9

   Wesley Sneijder

   Inter · Netherlands

   The creative heartbeat of Inter’s 2010 treble and a World Cup finalist that same year.

10. 10

    Robin van Persie

    Arsenal / Manchester United · Netherlands

    A left-footed finisher of rare quality and a Premier League Golden Boot winner at two clubs.

A LeaguePaper editorial ranking — opinion, offered for argument.