The Western European side has only won one major international trophy, the 1988 UEFA European Championships, but regularly finishes second or third in major tournaments.
The Dutch are known for being exceptionally technical, with a love of passing the ball, and the national side has regularly featured multiple superstars in the same team. Here are 5 of the best to have represented the Netherlands.
1. Johan Cruyff
Position: Attacking Midfielder / Forward
Caps: 48
Goals: 33
The most famous proponent and exponent of the Total Football philosophy, as well as the originator of football’s most common dribble in the ‘Cruyff Turn’, Johann Cruyff is an icon of the sport.
The maestro’s senior international debut came in September 1966 at the age of 19, and he took his chance, scoring in a 2-2 draw vs Hungary. His debut came in his second season as a pro for Dutch giants AFC Ajax.
Despite hitting double figures for goals in six consecutive league seasons and often scoring 20-30 league goals per season, Cruyff was a sporadic member of the national team in the 1960s, with only 11 caps for Oranje by 1970.
This was partly due to the fact that Cruyff had been sent off in his second game for his country, becoming the first Dutch international to receive a red card. He was also accused of being aloof at times.
In the new century, his importance began to grow. By the 1974 World Cup, Cruyff was captain. Playing as a forward with the freedom to roam, Cruyff started all of his country’s games and scored three goals as the Dutch finished as runners-up to Germany.
His goals came vs Argentina and Brazil in the knockout rounds. Cruyff’s exceptional performances at the ’74 World Cup meant he was awarded player of the tournament.
The versatile attacker then led Holland to the 1976 Euros, where the side finished third, with Cruyff only playing the semi-final loss to Czechoslovakia. After helping his homeland qualify for the 1977 World Cup, Cruyff retired from the national side in 1977 at 30 years old.
Cruyff is iconic due to the win-with-style philosophy, which he learned whilst playing and carried over into coaching. This pass-and-move ethos has evolved into a national identity for the Dutch, and all youth players are taught to play this way in the present day.
2. Marco van Basten
Position: Striker
Caps: 58
Goals: 24
Possibly the most naturally talented #9 the Netherlands have ever produced, Marco van Basten had an illustrious career, but one unfortunately shortened by injury.
The legend’s senior international debut came in September 1983 at 18 years old. The debut was at the start of his third season as a pro, then playing for Dutch club AFC Ajax. After scoring two goals in his first three games, van Basten became a regular member of the Netherlands squad, but not a nailed-on starter immediately.
Van Basten’s transition to indispensable came in 1988. Prior to this year, van Basten had only scored six goals for his country. After getting called up to the squad for Euro ’88 and coming off the bench in Holland’s first game, the striker scored a hat-trick in the next game, a 3-1 win vs England.
He then went on to score the winner in the semifinal and another goal in the final to lead the Netherlands to their first major international trophy in their history.
Playing under manager Rinus Michels — the coach who taught Johan Cruyff Total Football — van Basten was unstoppable at the Euros, playing in a fluid 4-4-2 formation as a #9 alongside Ruud Gullit. After finishing as the top scorer of the competition, the Dutchman was also named player of the tournament.
Van Basten continued to be integral going into the 1990 World Cup. He started all four games as Oranje exited in the RO16, not scoring at the competition in a disappointing display for both the player and the team.
Van Basten’s last major international tournament was Euro 1992. The attacker started all four of Holland’s games as they reached the semifinals for the third time in history. While ending up goalless at the tournament, van Basten’s performance was impactful enough to earn him another player of the tournament.
His last cap came in October 1992 at just 27 years old; this was due to persistent ankle injuries. Van Basten won the Ballon d’Or in 1988, 1989 and 1992.
An elegant technician with impeccable close control and dribbling, van Basten also excelled at volleys and headers due to his tall frame. He could shoot with both feet, and his composure was never shaken. A football legend who may have been one of the best ever without injuries.