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Top 10 Barcelona players of all time - #5

Sports Mole's countdown of Barcelona's top 10 players of all time continues with number five - Johan Cruyff.

Johan Cruyff

Johan Cruyff playing for Barcelona© Offside

Appearances: 184
Goals: 61
Trophies: 1x La Liga, 1x Copa del Rey

When it comes to the most influential figures in the history of Barcelona, Johan Cruyff may well top the pile having enjoyed defining spells at the club as a player, manager and adviser.

It is difficult not to recognise Cruyff's impact on the club Barcelona have become - indeed, the emergence of the likes of Andres Iniesta, Xavi and Lionel Messi have a lot to do with the Dutchman - but even when judging him solely on his on-field exploits, Cruyff is worthy of a place on this list.

Following an illustrious spell with Ajax, Cruyff joined Barca for a world-record fee in 1973 after Spain's ban of signing foreign players was lifted. The ultimate exponent of 'Total Football' immediately endeared himself to the Barcelona faithful by turning down a move to Real Madrid due to their association with Spanish dictator Francisco Franco.

By the time Cruyff made his debut for the club they sat just one place off the bottom of the table, but they subsequently went unbeaten for the remainder of the season to claim their first La Liga title since 1960.

Cruyff was awarded the Ballon d'Or for a third time due to his form that season, and he went on to play for five more years before moving to the United States.

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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona13110240122833
2Real Madrid1283125111427
3Atletico MadridAtletico137511971226
4Villarreal127322319424
5Osasuna136341720-321
6Athletic Bilbao135531913620
7Real BetisBetis135531412220
8Real Sociedad135351110118
9Mallorca135351010018
10GironaGirona135351617-118
11Celta Vigo135262022-217
12Rayo Vallecano124441313016
13Sevilla134361218-615
14Leganes133551316-314
15AlavesAlaves134181422-813
16Las PalmasLas Palmas133371622-612
17Getafe13175811-310
18Espanyol123181122-1110
19Real ValladolidValladolid132381025-159
20Valencia11146817-97


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