John Cruyff’s Total Football philosophy of ball possession helped Barcelona dominate La Liga in the early 1990s. Coach Cruyff’s Barcelona Dream Team included players from both the La Masia (the youth academy he set up) and international stars. To no one’s surprise, most of the students from the Cruyffian school of football make this list.
Michael Laudrup
A creative midfielder known for his sharp passing skills and sublime ball control, Michael Laudrup excelled as part of Johan Cruyff‘s “Dream Team” at Barcelona. From 1991 to 1994, Laudrup played with an arsenal of other talented players including Pep Guardiola, José Mari Bakero, and Txiki Begiristain to lead the Catalan side to a 1992 Champions League along with four La Liga titles. He also achieved a league championship with Real Madrid and Ajax in the last year of his career.
Pep Guardiola
The defensive midfielder played an important role in Johan Cruyff’s Dream Team of the early 1990s, winning the European Cup in 1991 and finishing his playing career with six La Liga titles. His creative vision and sharp passing abilities were a precursor to Xavi and Iniesta that followed in his footsteps.
Ronald Koeman
Signed in 1989 to play a part of Cruyff’s “Dream Team,” the defender scored an incredible 102 goals in his six seasons at Barca, most notably the set-piece goal that won the team’s first European Cup in 1992. The Dutchman’s powerful right boot helped lead the team to five Spanish Championships, three Spanish Super Cups, and a Spanish Cup. Koeman still holds the La Liga record for 25 consecutive penalties scored.
Romario
The Brazilian striker Romario won FIFA World Player of the Year in 1994, rewarding him for his remarkable 30-goal season at Barcelona and leading his national side to the World Cup trophy. Although he only spent two years playing for La Blaugrana, he finished his tenure with 65 goals in 39 games with a La Liga championship to boot.
Fernando Hierro
Known for his hard tackling, the defensive midfielder Fernando Hierro helped power the back of the Real Madrid side for over 14 years, obtaining three Champions League and five La Liga titles.
Ronaldo
Yes, he spent only one season in the mid-1990s with the Barcelona side but it was prolific. The Brazilian legend bagged 47 goals in 51 matches. He helped Barcelona win the Copa del Rey, UEFA Cup Winner’s Cup, and the Spanish Super Cup.
Christian Vieri
The Italian scored 24 goals in 24 domestic appearances for the Atlético. Averaging a goal a game, the striker nonetheless cut short his tenure and moved back to the Serie A for financial reasons.
Iván Zamorano
One of Chile’s most talented exports, Iván Zamorano played for both Sevilla and Real Madrid in the 1990s. While he scored 23 goals in 63 appearances for Sevilla, he bagged 101 goals for Real Madrid over 173 games. At Real, he won La Liga, Copa del Rey, and a Spanish Supercup title.
Patrick Kluivert
The Dutch striker Patrick Kluivert made 257 appearances with the Barcelona side over six years, scoring 122 times. Tall and physical, the pacy and technical player helped Barcelona win La Liga with coach Louis van Goal whom he played for at Ajax in the early 90s.
Luis Figo
The crafter winger played 5 years with Barcelona where he teamed up with the likes of Ronaldo and Patrick Kluivert to win two La Liga titles, two Copa del Rey, a Spanish Super Cup, and a UEFA Super Cup and Cup Winner’s Cup. He scored 45 goals in 249 appearances.
Rivaldo
The long-legged forward joined Barcelona in 1997 where he scored 109 goals over 5 seasons, none more magnificent than the bicycle kick that completed his hat-trick against Valencia and got Barcelona into Champions League. Winner of back to back La Liga titles in 98 and 99, where he was the league’s top scorer, Rivaldo won FIFA Player of the year and the Ballon d’Or in 1999.
