Power rankings: Ranking the top 10 footballers of all time

MADRID, SPAIN - DECEMBER 23: Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona and Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid walk off pitch during La Liga match between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona at Santiago Bernabeu stadium on December 23, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Power Sport Images/Getty Images) /

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Johan Cruyff was the greatest genius to grace football /

#4 Johan Cruyff

There was, is and never will be a footballing genius better than Johan Cruyff. The Dutchman boasted a mind that was far ahead of his time. None have possibly influenced and shaped the football we see today better than him.

A kingpin of the 70s, Cruyff was the crowned jewel of Ajax and their Total Football philosophy under Rinus Michels. He orchestrated the creativity on the pitch, thanks to his gift for noticing spaces and creating chances in a system that left opponents bamboozled due to the players incessantly interchanging their positions. Cruyff, well-known for his intelligence and technique, was dubbed as ‘Pythagoras in Boots’ by sports writer David Miller.

The World Cup is the only trophy that eluded Johan Cruyff in an otherwise sparkling career; he guided The Netherlands to the finals in 1974. He clinched 9 league titles, 3 Ballon d’Ors and 3 European Cups.

A special credit needs to be reserved for how he built the Barcelona we see today, with his Total Football philosophy. It’s safe to admit that Johan Cruyff was a polymath in all senses, the Leonardo Da Vinci of the beautiful game.

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