Johan Cruyff Award

Former player of Ajax and the Dutch National Team, John Heitinga (left) presents the Johan Cruyff Award to Ryan Gravenberch.

2020-2021 winner: Ryan Gravenberch

The promising 19-year-old Ajax midfielder was elected almost unanimously by the jury of 14 prominent professionals. In addition to their football qualities, players from the premier league were also judged on the 14 rules of Johan Cruyff, such as being a team player and having a sense of responsibility. The jury noted that Ryan played a key role at Ajax at his young age. He was also praised for his crazy and lightning-fast development.

Ryan received the award from none other than John Heitinga. Ryan: “I played on a Cruyff Court all my childhood. It has helped me in my development, and it is really special that I can now place one myself. And for the young boys: this prize is an incentive, do your best and one day you will also be standing here with this in your hands”.

Since 2003, the Johan Cruyff Award has been awarded to the Talent of the Year in the Dutch Eredivisie. With this prize, Johan Cruyff wanted to give young football players a push towards an even better future and help them to give back. The winner will be given the opportunity from the Johan Cruyff Foundation (and financially supported by the Dutch Postcode Loterij) to construct a Cruyff Court at a location of their choice. This allows (vulnerable) youth to exercise easily and to develop physically, socially and mentally. Next to the Cruyff Court the winner receives a mini-statue of Johan Cruyff.

Winners of the Johan Cruyff Award, for most Talented Player in the Eredivisie:

YearWinnerClub
2020/2021Ryan GravenberchAjax
2019/2020Due to Covid-19 no winner
2018/2019Frenkie De JongAjax
2017/2018Matthijs de LigtAjax
2016/2017Kasper DolbergAjax
2015/2016Vincent JansenAZ
2014/2015Memphis DepayPSV
2013/2014Davy KlaassenAjax
2021/2013Marco van GinkelVitesse
2011/2012Adam MaherAZ
2020/2011Christian EriksenAjax
2009/2010Gregory van der WielAjax
2008/2009Eljero EliaFC Twente
2007/2008Miralem SulejmaniAjax
2006/2007Ibrahim AfellayPSV
2005/2006Klaas-Jan HuntelaarAjax
2004/2005Salomon KalouFeyenoord
20032004Wesley SneijderAjax
2002/2003Arjen RobbenPSV