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Johan Cruyff: Netherlands great dies of cancer aged 68

Last updated on .From the section European Footballcomments512

Johan Cruyff: 'An icon of the Netherlands'

Netherlands footballing great Johan Cruyff has died of cancer aged 68.

Cruyff, who made his name as a forward with Ajax and Barcelona, was European footballer of the year three times.

He won three consecutive European Cups with Ajax from 1971, coached Barcelona to their first European Cup triumph in 1992 and helped the Dutch reach the 1974 World Cup final, where they lost 2-1 to West Germany.

The Dutch FA said: "Words can hardly be found for this huge loss."

It added that Cruyff was the "greatest Dutch footballer of all time and one of the world's best ever" and wished everyone "a lot of strength in this difficult time".

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King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands said the country had "lost a unique and brilliant sportsman".

He added: "He was a Dutch icon. He belonged to us all."

Holland's friendly against France on Friday will stop after 14 minutes for a minute-long silence in tribute to Cruyff, who wore number 14 as a player.

Barcelona FC expressed their "pain and sorrow" at the news of his death, adding: "We will always love you, Johan. Rest in peace."

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Pele, regarded by many as the best footballer of all time, said Cruyff "was a great player and coach" who leaves a "very important legacy".

Bayern Munich's Manchester City-bound manager Pep Guardiola, who played under Cruyff at Barca, said his former manager "painted the chapel and Barcelona coaches since have merely restored or improved it".

David Beckham called Cruyff a "true hero" who was "not just one of the best footballers in the history of the game but also one of the greatest men and nicest person you could meet".

Gary Lineker, an ex-Barcelona player, added: "Football has lost a man who did more to make the beautiful game beautiful than anyone in history."

Accolades

Ajax (as a player): European Cup x 3, European Super Cup x 2, Dutch league title x 8, Dutch Cup x 5, Intercontinental Cup x 1, Super Cup x 1.

Ajax (as a manager): European Cup Winners' Cup x 1, Dutch Cup x 2.

Barcelona (as a player): Spanish league title x 1, Spanish Cup x 1.

Barcelona (as a manager): European Cup x 1, European Cup Winners' Cup x 1, European Super Cup x 1, Spanish league title x 4, Spanish Cup x 1, Spanish Super Cup x 3.

Feyenoord (as a player): Dutch league title x 1, Dutch Cup x 1.

Background

The 'Cruyff turn' at the 1974 World Cup

Cruyff scored 293 goals in 521 appearances for five different clubs - including 204 in 276 games while winning 18 trophies in two spells for Ajax.

He first showcased the 'Cruyff turn' at the 1974 World Cup in a match against Sweden and scored 33 goals in 48 internationals.

With his precision passes, speed, technique and goalscoring ability, Cruyff set new standards as a player.

He helped end an era of dour defensive football, inspiring the Dutch team in their 'Total Football'external-link offensive that took them to the 1974 World Cup final.

Cruyff had double heart bypass surgery in 1991 and gave up smoking immediately after the operation, swapping cigarettes for lollipops.

He even featured in a Catalan health department advert, warning the public: "Football has given me everything in life, tobacco almost took it all away."

Barcelona won four consecutive La Liga titles - 1991 to 1994 - under Cruyff, who remained influential at the club after his sacking in 1995.

Cruyff was diagnosed with lung cancer in October 2015 but in February said he was "2-0 up" against his illness and was "sure I will end up winning".

He "died peacefully in Barcelona, surrounded by his family after a hard-fought battle with cancer", according to a statement on his official website.

Barcelona players
Barcelona players wear t-shirts in support of Johan Cruyff earlier this year

Other tributes

BBC football commentator Barry Davies said Cruyff deserved to be in the top three footballers of all time, along with Brazil's Pele and Argentina's Diego Maradona.

"He was so exciting to watch, so full of ideas," Davies told BBC Radio 5 live.

Manchester City and Belgium captain Vincent Kompany called Cruyff "true football royalty", adding: "I don't think anyone has ever influenced the game as much as he has done. Football will miss him, but we will never forget."

World Cup-winning Germany captain Lothar Matthaus said Cruyff was "a great man who transformed football", while Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal called his fellow Dutchman "one of the true legends of the game".

Sergio Ramos tweet

Former Germany World Cup winner and manager Jurgen Klinsmann said Cruyff was "an amazing player, coach, teacher and person", while Manchester United and England legend Bobby Charlton said Cruyff was "one of those great, great footballers that made you excited whenever he got the ball".

England boss Roy Hodgson added: "Sometimes the word legend is used a little bit loosely, sometimes even flippantly. But there are one or two greats and one or two legends. Johan Cruyff is one of those."

Ronal Koeman Twitter

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez said it was "a very sad day for the world of football", adding that he wanted to "transmit on behalf of Real Madrid our condolences and our love to FC Barcelona and most especially his wife and their children."

Former Fifa president Sepp Blatter said Cruyff gave football "a unique touch that some try to copy", while new Fifa boss Gianni Infantino said he "has marked football history for ever".

Osvaldo Ardiles tweet
Did you know...
Johan Cruyff nearly signed for Leicester City in 1981 when Jock Wallace was manager, according to reports.external-link
Between 1970 and 1974, the Netherlands lost only one of the 29 matches in which Cruyff featured - the 1974 World Cup final against West Germany.
A kidnap attempt, in which a rifle was held to the head of Cruyff, played a part in the Dutchman's decision to miss the 1978 World Cup, according to reports.external-link
Cruyff was born Hendrik Johannes Cruijff on 25 April 1947.
He had more successful dribbles in the 1974 World Cup (34) than any other player. This included his famous 'turn' against Sweden.
Cruyff scored on his Netherlands debut but received a red card in his second match (v Czechoslovakia). With that red card, he was the first player to be sent off for the Netherlands.

Quotes

Cruyff on himself:

  • "In a way, I'm probably immortal."
  • "If I wanted you to understand it all, I would have explained it better."
  • "Actually, I never make a mistake, because it takes a huge effort for me to make a mistake."
  • "I don't believe in God. In Spain, all 22 players cross themselves. If it works, the game is always going to be a tie."

On football and his philosophy:

  • "Playing football is very simple, but playing simple football is the hardest thing there is."
  • "Italians can't win the game against you, but you can lose the game against the Italians."
  • "Quality without results is pointless. Results without quality is boring."
  • "It's better to go down with your own vision than with someone else's."
  • "In my teams, the goalie is the first attacker and the striker the first defender."
  • "There is only one ball, so you need to have it."
  • "Why couldn't you beat a richer club? I've never seen a bag of money score a goal."

The Netherlands play France in Ajax's Amsterdam Arena in a friendly on Friday (19:45 GMT) and face England at Wembley on Tuesday (20:00).

BBC Radio 5 live will broadcast a special programme paying tribute to Cruyff at 19:00 GMT on Thursday, followed by another programme at 21:00 on Friday.

What were your personal memories of Cruyff? Leave your comments below.

Comments

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512 comments

  • Comment posted by D1690212849898, at 12:56 24 Mar 2016

    When a skill is named after you, you know you are a great. 68 is no age, but he will be fondly remembered. Rest in peace.

  • Comment posted by Wackford Squeers, at 13:01 24 Mar 2016

    Great player and manager who changed the game.

    Sadly he died of lung cancer due to smoking which he later quit. Kids don't smoke as it may kill you one day even if you give up.

  • Comment posted by Westy, at 12:56 24 Mar 2016

    Yet another legend gone...a bad few months

  • Comment posted by User0643151367, at 13:25 24 Mar 2016

    He revolutionised Dutch football as a player.

    He revolutionised Barcelona as a coach.

    His philosophy was responsible for Spain's recent dominance in the Euros and World Cup.

    The word "Genius" does not do him justice.

    RIP.

  • Comment posted by Stefan, at 12:55 24 Mar 2016

    Sad day, a footballing pioneer.

  • Comment posted by U1374627190, at 12:59 24 Mar 2016

    For all the bad press we have seen this week regarding one particular footballer, Cruyff was the complete opposite and left a lasting positive impact on football, as well as creating the style of (Total) football that was adapted by what many regard as the greatest team of all time (Barcelona 08-12).
    RIP

  • Comment posted by johnk, at 13:00 24 Mar 2016

    few of todays players would match him

  • Comment posted by John Petrie, at 12:56 24 Mar 2016

    So very sad; his Cruyff turn will remain in the memories forever. Brilliant player that discovered the perils of smoking too late.

  • Comment posted by Jeb, at 13:03 24 Mar 2016

    We've had some great players, world class players, and legends. Then there are a few who changed the game. Cruyff was a game changer. The main protagonist of total football. RIP Mr Cruyff, you will go down in history as more than a legend.

  • Comment posted by grasaunders, at 13:18 24 Mar 2016

    Along with George Best I thought they were the two most skillfull footballers I have ever seen, and I don't say that lightly having watched some of the great Brazilian players including Pele, I don't want to detract from all the other fantastic players that I have seen, but for me, these two were at the top of the pile

  • Comment posted by Fin de Cloche, at 14:54 24 Mar 2016

    268. I_am_I

    "The BBC allows comments on the death of a footballer...but not the slaughter of 31 people in Brussels. I am just speechless. Glad to know where your priorities are, BBC. You repulsive den of traitors."
    _

    That thread isn't open for comment because people like you would comment on it.

    If you have nothing to say about Johan Cruyff, the best European footballer ever, then leave.

  • Comment posted by Fin de Cloche, at 15:07 24 Mar 2016

    274. I_am_I

    ""People like you". Wow, amazing you can tell what kind of person I am from text..."
    _

    I certainly can.

    You're the sort of person who, in an HYS for tributes to a loved and respected icon of sport, on the sport section, decides to post rude and disrespectful remarks.

    Do you heckle funerals? Your post was effectively that, so yes, I know exactly what sort of person you are.

  • Comment posted by Beb, at 13:46 24 Mar 2016

    A bit like George Best, it didn't matter that he might be taking your team's defence apart, he was just a joy to watch.

  • Comment posted by oldskunner, at 13:20 24 Mar 2016

    I wonder how much he would be worth today, because most modern players are worth millions and couldn't lace his boots.

  • Comment posted by User0944263108, at 14:48 24 Mar 2016

    Johan Cruyff was my idol, my hero!
    Watching Ajax play in 1972 was truly amazing!
    From that point on, there was only one team, with its scintillating number 14, worth watching.
    In 1974, I wanted so badly to see you lift the World Cup Trophy , I cried & cried. Thinking about it now my eyes water.
    You made countless kids like me try to emulate you but we couldn't, no one will ever!
    R.I.P Johan.

  • Comment posted by D1710916545523, at 12:58 24 Mar 2016

    Great player, great manager, great ambassador for football

  • Comment posted by User0481273932, at 15:42 24 Mar 2016

    Johan, you were quite simply the finest player of my lifetime. You moved so smoothly, you made football look effortless. Watching you was more like watching a dancer on a stage. In the last 30 years, only Denis Bergkamp has come close to emulating your peerless style. Thanks for the memories.

  • Comment posted by blues legend, at 14:25 24 Mar 2016

    I called Johann an artist and 2 idiots thumbed me down - call yourself football fans??

  • Comment posted by User0727968219, at 14:40 24 Mar 2016

    My earliest football memories are of the mid-70s = Holland.
    Not quite world champs, but definitely the best football.
    RIP Cruyff

  • Comment posted by SteveG, at 13:17 24 Mar 2016

    The 2 greatest players I've ever seen in the flesh were George Best and Johan Cruyff, one drank too much and the other smoked too much but on the pitch in their prime wonderful to watch. Holland's 2-0 win at Wembley in the 70's where Cruyff was masterful spring to mind.