
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:
Year | Winner | Club |
2020/2021 | Ryan Gravenberch | Ajax |
2019/2020 | Due to Covid-19 no winner | |
2018/2019 | Frenkie De Jong | Ajax |
2017/2018 | Matthijs de Ligt | Ajax |
2016/2017 | Kasper Dolberg | Ajax |
2015/2016 | Vincent Jansen | AZ |
2014/2015 | Memphis Depay | PSV |
2013/2014 | Davy Klaassen | Ajax |
2021/2013 | Marco van Ginkel | Vitesse |
2011/2012 | Adam Maher | AZ |
2020/2011 | Christian Eriksen | Ajax |
2009/2010 | Gregory van der Wiel | Ajax |
2008/2009 | Eljero Elia | FC Twente |
2007/2008 | Miralem Sulejmani | Ajax |
2006/2007 | Ibrahim Afellay | PSV |
2005/2006 | Klaas-Jan Huntelaar | Ajax |
2004/2005 | Salomon Kalou | Feyenoord |
20032004 | Wesley Sneijder | Ajax |
2002/2003 | Arjen Robben | PSV |
