Blog de Juan Pardo

Holland may be in dire straits but they're still one of the great footballing nations... our top 10 best Dutch players of all-time England entertain Holland in a friendly at Wembley on Tuesday evening

England entertain Holland in a friendly at Wembley on Tuesday evening
The Dutch have failed to qualify for this summer's European Championship
The likes of Johan Cruyff and Ruud Gullit have starred for Holland
Edwin van der Sar is the Dutch's most capped player with 130 appearances
Robin van Persie is the Oranje's record goalscorer with 50 in 101 matches

Holland's absence from this summer's European Championship will be greatly felt by a nation that finished third at the World Cup only two summers ago.

The Dutch have blessed the footballing world at previous major tournaments as a collective blessed with stunning individual talents.

While we would have loved to have made space for the likes of Ruud van Nistelrooy, Ronald Koeman, the de Boer brothers and Johnny Rep unfortunately they don't make the cut as Sportsmail countdowns the top 10 greatest Dutch players of all-time.

Robin van Persie (101 appearances, 50 goals)

He might be out in the cold from the current hapless Holland set-up, but that shouldn't cloud the memory of the nation's best striker over the past decade.

Although perennially struggling with injuries, Van Persie took England by storm with his stunning displays for Arsenal before leading Sir Alex Ferguson to his final-ever title.

His ever-inventive play and a ruthless scoring streak saw him become the Oranje's all-time record scorer on 50 goals.

Robin van Persie scored one of the goals of the 2014 World Cup with this diving header in a 5-1 win over Spain

Edwin van der Sar (130 appearances)

Certainly one of the best keepers of the last 30 years, Van Der Sar was between the posts for the legendary European Cup-winning Ajax team of 1995.

He went on to serve with distinction at two of the world's biggest clubs in Juventus and Manchester United, becoming his national side's record cap holder with 130 appearances in the process.

Edwin van der Sar is the most capped player in Holland's history - making 130 appearances over 13 years

Faas Wilkes (38 appearances, 35 goals)

The man Johan Cruyff called his idol, and the first Dutch footballing superstar. Wilkes' incredible individual skill saw him become the most celebrated forward of the 1940s and 1950s.

He posted high scoring records at both Inter Milan and Valencia, and netted an incredible 35 in 38 caps for his country. If that seems a bit low, it's because Wilkes was banned from the national side during his prime years – 1949-1955 – as they did not allow professional players in the side.

Faas Wilkes netted an incredible 35 goals in 38 appearances for Holland - despite a six-year suspension

Johan Neeskens (49 appearances, 17 goals)

While Holland's legendary 1974 team – seen by many as the greatest side to not win the World Cup – will always be synonymous with Cruyff, it was Neeskens who provided the engine.

His high-energy pressing midfield game was key to the 'total football' ideal, and allowed Cruyff to run the show. It worked so well that Neeskens followed his compatriot to Barcelona after the tournament.

Johan Neeskens (centre) was a vital cog in midfield for Holland's 'total football' legendary 1974 team

Frank Rijkaard (73 appearances, 10 goals)

One of the famous Dutch trio at Arrigo Sacchi's great Milan side of the late 1980s and early 1990s, Rijkaard is regarded as one of the best defensive players in history, capable of playing in either midfield or defence.

Like so many on this list, he started with Ajax before finding major success abroad, and was a key component of the Euro '88-winning side.

His management career has now grounded to a halt, but he is fondly remembered by Barcelona fans after presiding over a flair-filled side led by Ronaldinho and handing a debut to a certain Lionel Messi.

Frank Rijkaard (left) was a defensive cornerstone during the 1980s and 1990s for Holland as well as Milan

Clarence Seedorf (87 appearances, 11 goals)

One of the best combative midfielders of the modern era, Seedorf is the second player in the list from Louis van Gaal's 1995 Ajax Champions League-winning side.

He went on to win Europe's biggest prize a further three times with Real Madrid and AC Milan and remains the only player with those medals from three separate sides.

Armed with frightening physical attributes and exemplary technique in equal measure, Seedorf boasts a CV most players can only dream of.

Clarence Seedorf (left) was blessed with beautiful technique and frightening physical attributes

Marco van Basten (58 appearances, 24 goals)

Given how much his career was curtailed by injuries it is a testament to Van Basten's impact that he is remembered as one of the greatest strikers to have played the game.

His incredible technique and athletic ability ensured him legendary status for – like his partners in this list – Ajax and Milan. He was also the darling of Holland's legendary Euro 1988-winning team, netting an incredible volley in the final many consider to be one of the greatest goals of all time.

Marco van Basten (left) was Holland's main man during Euro '88 and the tournament's top scorer with five

Dennis Bergkamp (79 appearances, 37 goals)

Without a doubt one of the Premier League's finest ever imports, Bergkamp's status at Arsenal is guaranteed after 11 glittering years in north London.

His blend of incredible technique and scoring ability is remembered by fans of all ages as one of the finest 'second strikers' of any generation.

He was a mainstay for the Dutch side throughout his medal-laden career, but never shone as brightly as he did in the World Cup 1998 quarter-final against Argentina, scoring the goal of the tournament from a seemingly impossible angle.

Dennis Bergkamp celebrates after scoring in the 1998 World Cup quarter-final against Argentina

Ruud Gullit (66 appearances, 17 goals)

One of the most recognisable footballers of all time, to watch Gullit's flowing dreadlocks, sublime skill and imposing physical presence during the late 1980s and early 1990s was to watch one of the game's great talents.

During that period he was the vital cog in arguably the greatest club side of all time – Arrigo Sacchi's great Milan team – as well as captaining Holland to their only major trophy, the 1988 European Championships.

That's enough for him to trump almost everyone on this list, but he's also remembered in England by becoming the first foreign manager to win a trophy in England after wowing Chelsea fans as player and boss.

Ruud Gullit (right) captained the Oranje to their only international success - the 1988 European Championship

Johan Cruyff (48 appearances, 33 goals)

Some football icons are remembered for what they did on the pitch, others for what they did off the pitch and for their influence on the game as a whole.

None mastered both quite as well as Cruyff – perhaps the ultimate football icon. He drove Ajax's success in the 1960s and 70s before becoming one of Barcelona's best players of all time – not to mention capturing the hearts of the world by spearheading the Oranje's 'total football' in the 1974 World Cup.

He then instilled his philosophy as a manager at both Ajax and Barcelona, creating a culture of possession football that remains today.

His death earlier this month prompted mourning throughout the world. Undoubtedly the greatest Dutch player of all time, and would have a case for the accolade for any nation.

Dutch legend Johan Cruyff captured the hearts of the footballing world on-and-off the pitch with 'total football'

Did you solve it? The logic question almost everyone gets wrong

The results are in and yes, most of you got this one wrong. Here’s why.

Looking at married people.

Jack is looking at Anne, but Anne is looking at George. Jack is married, but George is not. Is a married person looking at an unmarried person?

A: Yes

B: No

C: Cannot be determined

The correct answer is A.

Before I get to the explanation, a few words on why I set the question. I wanted to test if it really was the case that more than 80 per cent of people choose C. Well, the results are in, and with more than 200,000 submissions, this is how you voted:

A 27.68 per cent

B 4.55 per cent

C 67.77 per cent

More than 72 per cent of you chose the wrong answer. Maybe it’s an exaggeration to say that “almost everyone” gets this question wrong but the vast majority of you did! (And that’s not accounting for the fact that many of you who took part are seasoned readers of this puzzle column, and were warned that this question was not all it seemed.)

Why is this question so tricky? It is because it appears to give you insufficient information. Anne’s marital status is not known, nor can it be determined, and so you make the inference that the question posed cannot be determined.

In fact, Anne’s marital status is irrelevant to the answer. If she is married, then a married person is looking at an unmarried person (Anne is looking at George), and if she isn’t, a married person is looking at an unmarried person (Jack is looking at Anne).

Hillary Clinton is fundamentally honest and trustworthy

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t’s impossible to miss the “Hillary for Prison” signs at Trump rallies. At one of the Democratic debates, the moderator asked Hillary Clinton whether she would drop out of the race if she were indicted over her private email server. “Oh for goodness – that is not going to happen,” she said. “I’m not even going to answer that question.”

Based on what I know about the emails, the idea of her being indicted or going to prison is nonsensical. Nonetheless, the belief that Clinton is dishonest and untrustworthy is pervasive. A recent New York Times-CBS poll found that 40% of Democrats say she cannot be trusted.

For decades she’s been portrayed as a Lady Macbeth involved in nefarious plots, branded as “a congenital liar” and accused of covering up her husband’s misconduct, from Arkansas to Monica Lewinsky. Some of this is sexist caricature. Some is stoked by the “Hillary is a liar” videos that flood Facebook feeds. Some of it she brings on herself by insisting on a perimeter or “zone of privacy” that she protects too fiercely. It’s a natural impulse, given the level of scrutiny she’s attracted, more than any male politician I can think of.

I would be “dead rich”, to adapt an infamous Clinton phrase, if I could bill for all the hours I’ve spent covering just about every “scandal” that has enveloped the Clintons. As an editor I’ve launched investigations into her business dealings, her fundraising, her foundation and her marriage. As a reporter my stories stretch back to Whitewater. I’m not a favorite in Hillaryland. That makes what I want to say next surprising.

Hillary Clinton is fundamentally honest and trustworthy.

The yardsticks I use for measuring a politician’s honesty are pretty simple. Ever since I was an investigative reporter covering the nexus of money and politics, I’ve looked for connections between money (including campaign donations, loans, Super Pac funds, speaking fees, foundation ties) and official actions. I’m on the lookout for lies, scrutinizing statements candidates make in the heat of an election.

The connection between money and action is often fuzzy. Many investigative articles about Clinton end up “raising serious questions” about “potential” conflicts of interest or lapses in her judgment. Of course, she should be held accountable. It was bad judgment, as she has said, to use a private email server. It was colossally stupid to take those hefty speaking fees, but not corrupt. There are no instances I know of where Clinton was doing the bidding of a donor or benefactor.

I can see why so many voters believe Clinton is hiding something because her instinct is to withhold. As first lady, she refused to turn over Whitewater documents that might have tamped down the controversy. Instead, by not disclosing information, she fueled speculation that she was hiding grave wrongdoing. In his book about his time working in the Clinton White House, All Too Human, ABC’s George Stephanopoulos wrote that failing to convince the first lady to turn over the records of the Arkansas land deal to the Washington Post was his biggest regret.As for her statements on issues, Politifact, a Pulitzer prize-winning fact-checking organization, gives Clinton the best truth-telling record of any of the 2016 presidential candidates. She beats Sanders and Kasich and crushes Cruz and Trump, who has the biggest “pants on fire” rating and has told whoppers about basic economics that are embarrassing for anyone aiming to be president. (He falsely claimed GDP has dropped the last two quarters and claimed the national unemployment rate was as high as 35%).

The same pattern of concealment repeats itself through the current campaign in her refusal to release the transcripts of her highly paid speeches. So the public is left wondering if she made secret promises to Wall Street or is hiding something else. The speeches are probably anodyne (politicians always praise their hosts), so why not release them?

Colin Diersing, a former student of mine who is a leader of Harvard’s Institute of Politics, thinks a gender-related double standard gets applied to Clinton. “We expect purity from women candidates,” he said. When she behaves like other politicians or changes positions, “it’s seen as dishonest”, he adds. CBS anchor Scott Pelley seemed to prove Diersing’s point when he asked Clinton: “Have you always told the truth?” She gave an honest response, “I’ve always tried to, always. Always.” Pelley said she was leaving “wiggle room”. What politician wouldn’t?

These are not new thoughts, but they are fundamental to understanding her. Tough as she can seem, she doesn’t have rhino hide, and during her husband’s first term in the White House, according to Her Way, a critical (and excellent) investigative biography of Clinton by Jeff Gerth and Don Van Natta, she became very depressed during the Whitewater imbroglio. A few friends and aides have told me that the email controversy has upset her as badly.Clinton distrusts the press more than any politician I have covered. In her view, journalists breach the perimeter and echo scurrilous claims about her circulated by unreliable rightwing foes. I attended a private gathering in South Carolina a month after Bill Clinton was elected in 1992. Only a few reporters were invited and we sat together at a luncheon where Hillary Clinton spoke. She glared down at us, launching into a diatribe about how the press had invaded the Clintons’ private life. The distrust continues.

Like most politicians, she’s switched some of her positions and sometimes shades the truth. In debates with Sanders, she cites her tough record on Wall Street, but her Senate bills, like one curbing executive pay, went nowhere. She favors ending the carried interest loophole cherished by hedge funds and private equity executives because it taxes their incomes at a lower rate than ordinary income. But, according to an article by Gerth, she did not sign on to bipartisan legislation in 2007 that would have closed it. She voted for a bankruptcy bill favored by big banks that she initially opposed, drawing criticism from Elizabeth Warren. Clinton says she improved the bill before voting for passage. Her earlier opposition to gay marriage, which she later endorsed, has hurt her with young people. Labor worries about her different statements on trade deals.

Still, Clinton has mainly been constant on issues and changing positions over time is not dishonest.

It’s fair to expect more transparency. But it’s a double standard to insist on her purity.

The world's top 10 footballers: why are they so good?

10) Edinson Cavani (Napoli and Uruguay)

What on earth are Manchester City and Chelsea waiting for? With 94 goals in 192 matches since his arrival in Serie A five years ago, the Uruguayan international is in his prime as a world-class goalscorer. Cavani is also good news at the box office: first in Palermo and then in Naples the passionate fans responded to his feats, swooning at the sight of a player whose nickname in Italy, Il Matador, does justice to his swashbuckling style and lethal finishing. He was the star of the club's run in last season's Champions League, scoring three goals in two games against City in the group stage and once against Chelsea in the last 16. Richard Williams

9) Yaya Touré (Manchester City and Ivory Coast)

He is one of those players who has defined a position during his generation. "There isn't another Yaya," says the Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini. His physique and athleticism make him a heavyweight opponent. But for a big man to possess such refined technique, and the ability to use it at pace once he gathers speed on the run, makes him an absolute marvel. He was something of a slow burner, having flitted between clubs before arriving on the highest of stages at Barcelona. Since his switch to City, Touré has established himself as one of the most effective players in the Premier League and been voted African Player of the Year. Amy Lawrence

8) Andrea Pirlo (Juventus and Italy)

Somehow, the mature beard that he has recently been cultivating only adds to the air of wisdom and thoughtfulness that has always been at the heart of Pirlo's football. He plays with an alluring capacity to buy himself time, as if he enjoys a metaphorical moment to stroke his new facial adornment while he weighs up what clever touch he intends to execute. Italy's playmaking kingpin was majestic during the European Championship, as central to the team's heartbeat as he was when the Azzurri won the 2006 World Cup. The cool of his Panenka penalty, scooped over Joe Hart, was classic serenity under pressure. Amy Lawrence

7) Robin van Persie (Manchester United and Holland)

Even in 2004, when Robin van Persie had gone from being a tempestuous outcast at Feyenoord to an important Arsenal squad member, it was difficult to predict where his career would take him. Back then, he had a reputation for being a troublemaker, having fallen out with Bert van Marwijk, Pierre van Hooijdonk and Paul Bosvelt at Feyenoord, and collecting far too many cards for Arsène Wenger's liking.

Then, one day, he was at Arsenal's training ground and noticed Dennis Bergkamp, who was practising passing with an academy player. Van Persie watched Bergkamp for 45 minutes – and the Dutchman did not miss a single pass. Van Persie thought to himself: "I am not a bad passer. I am a good player. But I still have a long way to go before I get anywhere near that level of dedication and focus." That's when the Van Persie we see today started to emerge.

The 2006-07 and 2007-08 seasons were interrupted by injuries but when he returned, and Thierry Henry had left, the Dutchman was the main striker at Arsenal. This summer Sir Alex Ferguson paid £24m for him and said: "He wanted the challenge of coming to the biggest club in the world. I think that is fantastic."Marcus Christenson

6) Radamel Falcao (Atlético Madrid and Colombia)

They call him the Tiger and he is an insatiable predator, a perfectly honed hunter, stalking the pitch looking for chances to pounce. When he does he is devastatingly effective: right foot, left foot, head, from inside the box and out, this is a guy that does not miss.

Arguably the world's best No9 at the moment – his goals-by-minute ratio currently surpasses that of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo – he has racked up over 50 goals in just a year and a half at Atlético Madrid, winning the Europa League and destroying Chelsea in the European Super Cup with a first-half hat-trick.

The Europa League triumph was his second in a row after success with Porto, and the second in a row in which he finished top scorer and with goals in the final.

Everybody is after him right now and just how good he is can be defined by the buy-out clause in his Atlético contract. It currently stands at €60m and here is the thing: it does not even seem that expensive.

5) Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Paris St-Germain and Sweden)

A physically imposing maverick with a potent mixture of subtlety in his feet and audacity in his head, Zlatan – his first name suffices – has always been eye-catching. The Swede has enjoyed an eventful 2012, leaving Serie A for the second time, on this occasion for the nouveau riche of Paris St-Germain.

His record-breaking salary initially caused some consternation in France, but that became a side issue for one reason only: Zlatan has been at his brilliant best. His leadership, as well as his talent, has made critics eat their words. His run of titles (eight straight league wins with five different teams) may have ended but he looks determined to get that back on track.

He was also exceptional for Sweden in the Euros – a deserving pick for team of the tournament. The national icon won global recognition for his quartet of glorious goals against England. His power, wit and imagination make him a defender's nightmare. A genuine maestro.

4) Andrés Iniesta (Barcelona and Spain)

Sergio Ramos describes Andrés Iniesta as the "enlightened one", a man "touched with a magic wand". There is something different about him. The touch is so smooth, so soft, almost imperceptible at times, that he can do things that other players simply cannot, from incredible dribbles to jaw-dropping assists.

This summer, a photograph did the rounds: Iniesta surrounded by seven Italian defenders. He describes it as a coincidence but it was appropriate somehow: he's the man they fear the most and the man who draws the most pressure on himself. Why? Because he trusts his ability to overcome it.

Always in control, he is the creative fulcrum of the Spain team, and the man who scored the winning goal in the World Cup final. It was not just about the goal, either: his performance in extra time in South Africa is worth watching again and again. Sublime barely does it justice.

In a game where control has become the obsession, defences have become more populous and space harder to find, Iniesta offers that most important of qualities: inspiration. "He imposes so much respect on the pitch," Ramos says. "As a football lover, I am proud to have played with him. He makes the difference and does things that no one else can do." Fernando Torres adds: "I've been playing with him since we were 15 and I have never, ever seen him play badly." Injuries have been a constant problem in Iniesta's career but look back over the last three tournaments, all of them won by Spain, and his influence is startling. He won three man of the match awards at Euro 2012, more than anyone else. There were another three at the World Cup, including the final. And one at Euro 2008. In 18 games across three tournaments – more than any other player – he has been man of the match seven times. Over a third of his games.

3) Xavi (Barcelona and Spain)

Xavi Hernández admits that a few years ago he felt like a player under threat of extinction. Everywhere, muscle mattered, height mattered. His game was different. Now, five years later, he is the model, the ideologue behind a different approach – a style that has led him to win everything for club and country.

Luis Aragonés decided to build the Spain side around Xavi, to adopt a game based on possession and control, and it has worked. At the same time, Pep Guardiola took over as coach at Barcelona and did much the same. Xavi was revitalised.

For each of the past five seasons, the world's most significant footballing trophy has been won by the team that had Xavi in the heart of its midfield: two European Championships, two European Cups and a World Cup.

Xavi describes his game as the constant search for spaces. "It's hard when you've got a bloke behind you who's six foot tall and powerful, and he's right on you," he says. "You have to think quickly, you have to look for spaces. That's what I do: look for spaces. All day, I'm looking. Here? No. There? No. Always looking for the space. Space, space. A man comes towards you, over there. Is there one here? Or there?"

Xavi invariably finds it. Over the past five years no player has completed so many passes: he has averaged – averaged! – more than 100 a game. And it is passes that lie at the heart of the success of Spain and Barcelona. This summer, he admitted that he had not enjoyed the Euros as much as previous tournaments. He played a little further forward, where play is more cramped.

But then came the final and Xavi was suddenly everywhere. That Spain produced their best performance was not entirely coincidental. Xavi may well go down as the best player in Spain's history, even if Dani Alves says he "plays in the future".

2) Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid and Portugal)

One story springs to mind. It is March 2007 at Old Trafford and a Ronaldo-inspired Manchester United have just thrashed Bolton Wanderers 4-1. Henrik Pedersen, assigned the job of trying to stop him, is so befuddled he is substituted after 28 minutes.

Afterwards, a reporter from the Bolton Evening News asks the visiting manager, Sam Allardyce, whether Ronaldo's performance could leave his players with psychological scars. "Scars?" Allardyce replies. "We're going to need a fucking plastic surgeon after that."

Ronaldo can do that to the opposition. Nobody – maybe not even George Best – tormented players as he did for United and, if anything, he has just got better at Real Madrid. A blur of improvisational brilliance, running at the opposition, driving towards goal, his only thought being to score. Worried about nobody, absolutely nobody.

He scores at a prolific rate, from any distance and any angle. He conjures up shots that dip at the last moment, like someone firing a beach ball in the wind. He flicks the ball with the outside of his boot, while looking in the opposite direction. He goes three or four games without scoring and it is described as a "drought."His ego is considerable and, deep down, it must gnaw away at him that Lionel Messi denies him the right to be known as the most extravagantly gifted footballer on the planet. Yet he has already done enough to establish himself as one of the genuine greats.

Gary Neville, his former Old Trafford colleague, described him recently as "an absolute bully" because of the ordeals to which he subjected opposition defenders. "He would prey on the weak." Better than Messi? Not quite – but what is also very clear is that Ronaldo, scoring at a rate of more than a goal per game, is determined to prolong the argument.

1) Lionel Messi (Barcelona and Argentina)

There was only one name and one position on which all 11 members of the panel were in unanimous agreement: the world No1, Lionel Messi. How could we not choose him?

The debate has moved to another plane: it is not so much a question of whether Messi is the best player in the world right now, as whether Messi might just be the best player there has ever been.

He has been making the extraordinary look ordinary for four years now, producing astonishingly brilliant performances with a regularity that has made them no longer astonish. That is just what he does: another great goal from Messi.

These days, if Messi scores a brilliant goal, no one talks about it for weeks, because usually within a few days he has probably gone and scored one that is just as good. Or two. Or more.

Last season he scored 50 league goals, making him the top scorer in La Liga history. He has been top scorer in the Champions League for four seasons in a row, twice scoring in the final. He has scored in the final of the Copa del Rey, the Club World Cup and the European and Spanish Super Cups.

It is not just about the goals either: in 2012, Messi scored 90 goals at a rate of a goal every 4.1 days, and also provided 29 assists. At the time of writing, he had one game left in the year to score more.

It is hard to find sufficient superlatives for him. He can do everything: control the game, slow it down, speed it up and, above all, win it. Pep Guardiola encouraged everyone not to try to describe him because it was an impossible task and instead just to enjoy him: "Don't write about him," the former Barcelona manager said. "Watch him."

Carlos Bilardo, who coached Diego Maradona in 1986, reckons Messi has an extra bone in his ankle: "The ball." It never seems to leave his foot.

"I don't think we'll ever see a player like him again," said the Barcelona manager, Tito Vilanova. Gerard Piqué insists that there is no point in counting him as human: he is, instead, an "extra-terrestrial".

"I don't want to even compare anyone else to him," Xavi Hernández once said. "Because it's not fair – on them."