On this day: Johan Cruyff regains Ballon d'Or

Throughout football history, the Netherlands has produced some of the best footballers to have ever played the game.

However, as good as the likes of Johan Neeskens, Ruud Krol, Ruud Gullit, Marco van Basten, Clarence Seedorf and Arjen Robben all were or are, they are all overshadowed by a certain compatriot - Johan Cruyff.

The attacker was recognised as Europe's finest footballer in 1971 when he won the Ballon d'Or ahead of Sandro Mazzola and George Best.

Germany dominated the award a year later, but 12 months later and on this day, Cruyff regained the accolade.

He started the calender year in the middle of a ninth season with Ajax, whom he captained to the Eredivisie title, a third consecutive European Cup and the European Super Cup.

Then, in the summer of 1973, he transferred to Barcelona for a world-record fee. Cruyff adapted to life at Camp Nou almost instantly and he would go on to help the club to win a first La Liga title since 1959.

Meanwhile, on the international front, Cruyff spearheaded a Dutch side that won their qualification group for the 1974 World Cup ahead of neighbours Belgium.

Such form brought with it a second Ballon d'Or title, having received more votes that Juventus goalkeeper Dino Zoff and Bayern Munich centre-forward Gerd Muller.