1974 Netherlands shirt

The Iconic Netherlands Shirt of Cruyff

This 1974 Netherlands orange jersey symbolizes the golden age of Dutch football, worn by an exceptional generation led by Johan Cruyff. The 1974 World Cup was destined to crown “Total Football,” an attacking and fluid style of play that revolutionized the global game.

The shirt stands out with its bright orange color, reflecting the historic link to the House of Orange-Nassau, and features the distinctive black sleeve stripes characteristic of the 1970s.
A notable exception: Cruyff himself wore a unique version with two black stripes instead of the usual three, due to a sponsorship conflict with Puma — making certain models even rarer and highly sought after by collectors.

The Peak of Total Football

After a difficult qualification campaign for the 1974 FIFA World Cup, the ambitious vision of Total Football conceived by Rinus Michels found its perfect choreography from the opening matches of the tournament.

Led by a Johan Cruyff at the height of his powers, the Netherlands defeated Bulgaria and Uruguay, while Sweden managed a resilient draw — not enough to prevent the Dutch from finishing top of their group.

The football grew even more dazzling in the second round: the Netherlands crushed Argentina 4–0, then overcame East Germany 2–0. The final group match pitted them against an unbeaten Brazil for a place in the final. Goals from Cruyff and Neeskens sealed a famous victory, setting up a dream final against West Germany and Franz Beckenbauer.