Best Dutch Footballers: Top 10 Dutch Football Players in 2026

Over the years, the Netherlands' football has yielded some of the greatest football players of all time who have illuminated the football pitch with their mesmerising skills and excellence with both club and country. This tradition of producing the best Dutch footballers ever to grace the sport is still going strong for Oranje. Some of the most notable names from the past Dutch football have given Johan Cruyff, Marco Van Basten, Ruud Gullit, and Frank Rijkaard are only a few among others.

Not only that, but modern-day greats like Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben, and Robin Van Persie also mark their names in the history books. The Netherlands has given us some of the Dutch best football players like Virgil van Dijk, Frenkie de Jong and more, spanning across all best leagues in the world. In this article, we are going to take a look at top 10 best Dutch football players at the moment.

Best Dutch Football Players (Top 10 List)

Check out the list of best dutch footballers 2026 who have proven their credentials in world football right now, ranked by their overall impact and performance levels.

Criteria Behind Ranking the Best Dutch Footballers

The below are the three criteria behind the ranking of best Dutch players in the world; these factors made things easier for us to form a list of 10 players on the basis of current form.

• Performance Stats: We have considered the performance stats as our first factor, like for midfielders, their progressive passes and carries, for defenders, their defensive metrics, and for forwards their goal scoring stats.
• Consistency: Alongwith performance stats, consistency throughout the club campaign played an important role in determining the ranking on the list of best players from the Netherlands.
• Impact in Key Matches: The third parameter to rank the best Netherlands football players was their impact during the key matches, like UEFA Champions League games, key derby or rivalry matches in the domestic leagues.

Note: Stats are taken from reliable sources like Sportsdunia, Transfermrkt and fbref.

Who are the Best Dutch Football Players Right Now?

Now that we have understood the ranking factors and the table consisting of the top Dutch football players from the 2025-26 season. Let's discuss the rankings of the players in brief.

10. Nathan Aké (Manchester City)

The ex-Feyenoord youth product Nathan Ake went on to make a name for himself in the English Premier League. After impressing with his talents with Chelsea's youth team, it was at Watford that he enjoyed a breakout 2015-16 campaign. He has established himself as one of the most trusted defenders in the league while playing for AFC Bournemouth. He began his career as a holding midfielder before slotting into the back line.

The Dutchman has been an integral part of Manchester City's domination; he helped Cityzens win the treble in the 2022-23 season. He has been a key part of the Netherlands' national team set-up, amassing 57 international caps since his debut in 2017. At City, he has won the UEFA Champions League and four Premier League titles with the Sky Blues. However, due to injuries, Ake lost his starting spot under Pep Guardiola.

9. Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan)

The Dutch wing-back Denzel Dumfries made his professional debut at Sparta Rotterdam in 2015 and went on to establish himself with PSV Eindhoven in the Eredivisie. The Dutch international rose to fame following his arrival in Milan, joining Nerazzurri, which uplifted the flight of his club career. Dumfries has become one of the best right-backs in the world, lifting five major trophies, including Serie A, Coppa Italia twice, and the Italian Super Cup thrice.

Denzel shares Aruban roots from his father's side and even went on to represent Aruba on the international level, playing two matches. However, he later switched alliances to don the orange colours and got his Netherlands call-up in 2018 under Ronald Koeman. The 29-year-old defender has cemented himself as a vital cog for Serie A giants Inter Milan with his consistency and reliability.

8. Tijjani Reijnders (Manchester City)

In the summer of 2025, Dutch midfielder Tijjani Reijnders became the latest Dutch international to join the English top flight, signing for Manchester City. He was a standout performer in the Italian league with AC Milan, recording the most goals and assists in the league. He made 15 goal contributions in 37 appearances in the 2024-25 season. He made his senior debut with PEC Zwolle and gained prominence with AZ Alkmaar in the Netherlands.

One of the best Dutch football players, the 27-year-old has shone at Manchester City to bolster their midfield ranks, with his line-breaking passes and creativity. The ex-Alkmaar midfielder made his first international appearance for the Dutch national team in 2023. Tijjani has scored 7 goals and provided as many assists while making over 40 appearances in all competitions for Pep Guardiola's side.

7. Xavi Simons (Tottenham Hotspur)

The Dutch sensation Xavi Simons is our next pick in the list of the best Dutch football players, the attacking midfielder was once regarded among the finest prodigies in Europe. Xavi honed his skills at Barcelona's prestigious academy La Masia, and later moved to Paris Saint-Germain. However, Simons enjoyed his breakout 2022-23 at PSV, where he found his top form. At 19, he netted 19 goals to become the league's top scorer.

The 22-year-old player went to play for RB Leipzig on loan and impressed everyone with his talent, got included in the Bundesliga team of the season. Subsequently, English giants Tottenham Hotspur signed the former Barca academy prospect to bolster their squad. He is a versatile player who can play on the wings and as an attacking midfielder. He has earned 31 senior caps for the Netherlands following his special debut at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

6. Micky van de Ven (Tottenham Hotspur)

The Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven is one of the fastest players in the Premier League and is one of best Dutch footballers. He moved to North London from the Bundesliga outfit VfL Wolfsburg in 2023. In the same year, van de Ven played his debut match for Holland against France in European World Cup qualifiers. He was then included in the Oranje 2024 Euro squad by Ronald Koeman.

Over the years, he has established himself as a regular for the Netherlands and was regarded as one of the best defenders in the EPL, known for his pace and tenacity. However, his form has seen a significant dip in recent weeks. Since his arrival, the Dutch international has become a vital cog for Spurs in the backline. This season, he has scored 7 times and made an assist in 36 appearances in all competitions.

5. Cody Gakpo (Liverpool)

Next, we have Liverpool star Cody Gakpo, a star performer for the Dutch national football team and his club Liverpool. In January 2023, the winger joined Liverpool after leaving his boyhood club PSV Eindhoven. Gakpo rose through the ranks of PSV, having joined the club at the age of six. Thanks for a brilliant 2021-22 campaign. Gakpo caught the eye of former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, netting 21 goals and providing 15 assists in 47 appearances across all competitions.

The Dutch winger is known for his intelligence and composure on the flanks; moreover, he brings versatility to his game. Cody Gakpo has already played more than 100 matches in the English Premier League with Liverpool and lifted the title in the 2024-25 season. Additionally, he has racked up 44 international caps for his country. Therefore, the 26-year-old forward ranks among the list of best Dutch football players in 2026.

4. Jurrien Timber (Arsenal)

The 24-year-old defender Jurrien Timber has made his mark in the English Premier League with Arsenal. He has swiftly become one of the best Premier League players on the back of his consistency and strong performances. Known for his work rate, technicality, and attacking prowess, defensively solid, he regained his confidence and form. He cemented himself as one of the best right-backs in the EPL, owing to the 2025-26 campaign.

He rose through the ranks of Ajax Amsterdam, and he claimed the Eredivisie twice and the Dutch Cup. Due to his heroics at Ajax, he was voted “2022 Player of the Year”. The talented defender will be keen to guide his North London club Arsenal to 2025-26 Premier League glory. He has been involved in 11 goals for the Gunners after making over 40 appearances in the ongoing season.

3. Frankie De Jong (Barcelona)

Frenkie de Jong is renowned as one of the best Dutch footballers, known for his intelligence and technique as a gifted midfielder. He came through the youth system of Ajax, where he developed his vision and press resistance. He was a key player in Ajax's iconic 2018-19 season, helping the Dutch giants to reach the semi-final of the UEFA Champions League and lift the Eredivisie title.

In 2019, the Netherlands international joined FC Barcelona and in no time became their vital figure in the midfield. He is exceptional in controlling the pace of the game, making timely tackles and press resistance. Over the years, Frenkie has been a consistent player on the field for Barcelona and the Netherlands. The holding midfielder recently helped the Catalan giants to claim the 2024-25 La Liga title, his 6th major trophy with his club.

2. Memphis Depay (Corinthians)

The ex-Man United forward Memphis Depay has been the Netherlands' go-to man in front of the goal in recent years. He has surely turned out to be one of the most prolific strikers to ever play for the country and is among best Dutch footballers. Depay made his international debut for his country in October 2013 under Louis van Gaal, coming as a substitute against Turkey in the European World Cup qualifiers. Since then, he has played over 100 matches for his country.

Depay became the Netherlands' all-time top scorer with a record 54 international goals. The former Barca forward is currently playing his club football in Brazil's Serie A with Sport Club Corinthians Paulista. After spending a lengthy spell across Europe playing for the biggest clubs like Lyon, Spanish giants Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and more. The Dutchman has been one of the finest goal scorers in the history of Dutch football.

1. Virgil Van Dijk (Liverpool)

One of the best defenders in world football, Liverpool and Dutch captain Virgil van Dijk has made himself a household name playing for the Premier League club. He is regarded as one of the best Dutch football players the world has ever witnessed till now. The 34-year-old made his international debut for his country in October 2015 and hasn’t looked back since, being almost the first and the most reliable name on the team sheet.

The Liverpool captain has played more than 86 matches for the Netherlands national football team at the highest level so far. He has also earlier represented his country at the youth level, having played for the Dutch under-21 and under-19 sides before getting his senior call-up. Apart from his defensive contributions, he has also managed to score 11 goals for the Dutch on the international level till now. Last season, he guided Liverpool to claim the 2024-25 English Premier League title under Arne Slot, while being a formidable figure.