MY ACCOUNT
Many of football’s greatest players have strutted their stuff in the famous colours of Ajax.
The Eredivisie giants have won 35 league titles and have also triumphed in Europe, lifting the European Cup/Champions League on four occasions and the UEFA Cup and the now defunct European Cup Winners’ Cup once apiece.
Renowned for their world-class development facilities, the Dutch side have helped the likes of Luis Suarez, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Edgar Davids flourish.
But who are the 10 greatest players to have played for Ajax? In no particular order, we pick ours below.
Johan Cruyff
To kick off our list, we can look no further than the legendary Johan Cruyff.
The Dutchman made 365 appearances for Ajax before coaching them for three years between 1985 and 1988.
During his time in Amsterdam, the three-time Ballon d’Or winner helped the club win eight league titles and three European trophies.
Marco van Basten
Known as one of the most prolific goalscorers of all time, Marco van Basten netted 118 goals in just 112 appearances for Ajax.
He joins Cruyff as a three-time Ballon d’Or winner, including consecutive victories in 1988 and 1989.
Van Basten won three Eredivisie titles with Ajax and was the top scorer for four consecutive seasons, while he also helped them to European Cup Winners’ Cup glory in 1986-87.
Ruud Krol
Ruud Krol spent 12 years at Ajax, winning eight league titles and playing 339 times for the club.
He was instrumental in helping the Dutch side win the European Cup on consecutive occasions in 1970-71, 1971-72 and 1972-73.
Born in Amsterdam, the defender was always where his team needed him most and will undoubtedly go down as one of Ajax’s greatest players.
Frank Rijkaard
By the end of his time at Ajax, Frank Rijkaard had won five league titles, three KNVB Cups, the Champions League and the European Cup Winners’ Cup.
Considered one of the great defensive midfielders of his generation, Rijkaard made more than 300 appearances for the club after making his debut at 17.
His final game for Ajax was the Champions League final win in 1995, which cemented his place as a club legend.
Dennis Bergkamp
Dennis Bergkamp is one of the most technically gifted players to emerge from Ajax — and that is no mean feat.
The Dutchman’s glittering career has seen him inducted into the FIFA Hall of Fame, having made more than 230 appearances for his boyhood club before going on to achieve great success with Arsenal.
Bergkamp won the Eredivisie, two KNVB Cups, the European Cup Winners’ Cup and UEFA Cup with the Dutch side and was personally coached by Cruyff during his time in Amsterdam.
Frank de Boer
It would have been difficult to find a defender with better technical ability than Frank de Boer.
He spent 11 seasons in the Netherlands, playing 431 games for Ajax and winning five league titles, the KNVB Cup twice, the Champions League, UEFA Cup and Super Cup.
Sjaak Swart
Sjaak Swart still holds the record for being Ajax’s most capped player — appearing 603 times for the club.
Winger Swart was a homegrown product who went on to score more than 200 goals for his boyhood side.
He played a pivotal role in seven league title wins and was also part of the famous side that lifted three consecutive European Cups in the early 1970s.
Edwin van der Sar
Edwin van der Sar spent nine years in Amsterdam and won the Champions League with Ajax in 1995.
The legendary keeper also won four Eredivisie titles, three Dutch Cups, the UEFA Cup and Super Cup before going on to enjoy further success around the continent — notably with Manchester United.
He is regarded as the best goalie in Ajax’s history and is adored as the club’s current chief executive.
Jari Litmanen
Under Louis van Gaal’s tutelage, Jari Litmanen thrived in an Ajax shirt.
The Finnish international spent seven seasons in Amsterdam, scoring 91 goals for the club.
Litmanen was a leading figure in helping Ajax win three consecutive Eredivisie titles and the Champions League.
Johan Neeskens
Our final selection is Johan Neeskens.
He was instrumental in Ajax dominating the European stage in the early 70s by helping to implement the Total Football philosophy desired by Cruyff.
The midfielder made more than 100 appearances for the Dutch side and was known for his relentless pressing and exceptional technical ability.
Do you agree with our selection of Ajax legends? Make sure you tweet us @LiveScore and let us know your thoughts.
