#2 Johan Cruyff and Franz Beckenbauer
One of the finest forward of his generation and one of the finest defender of this era, Cruyff and Beckenbauer had mutual respect for each other. Of course, Beckenbauer can boast of bragging rights as it was his performance against the highly skilled Cruyff that won the Germans the World Cup in 1974.
Beckenbauer created the much famous “Sweeper” position. Intelligent, tactically aware, technically gifted, comfortable in possession, natural leader and ability to set up and score goals, he was probably the most marauding defender of all time. Cruyff on the other hand was someone who could be labeled as an “Elf”; elegant, talented, magical and enchanting. He was the natural successor to Pele, such was his appetite for goals at the club and country level.
He defined the ‘Total Football’ that the Dutch were famous for. He would just glide on the pitch with a fluidity that was unmatched. He demonstrated both technical precision and tactical intelligence in leading the Dutch to world prominence. The famous “Cruyff turn” was born in the 1974 World cup which showed his magician skills on the field.
It was hence a shame that they were divided by nationalities. A fan’s mind would just go on overdrive imagining both of them in the same side.