THE world reflects and mourns the great Johan Cruyff today.
A three-time Ballon d’Or winner and a legend for Ajax, Barcelona and the Dutch
national team, he truly was one of football’s true elites.
Holland’s famous No.14 lit up the globe as he led his country to its
first-ever World Cup final in 1974.
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In the final, against Germany, the Oranje passed the ball 13 times from
kick-off, culminating in a penalty — earned by Cruyff — to take the lead,
without their great rivals even touching the ball.
The Germans, however, fought back to win the match.
But the legacy of that tournament will always be the inimitable Total Football
the Dutch brought to the world’s attention.
Each player’s mesmerising comfort on tha ball and in each position, captured
the hearts of fans everywhere.
He would actually miss the 1978 World Cup because of a kidnapping threat to
his family.
Cruyff was also the talisman for the Ajax side which dominated Europe for
three years — from 1971-1973.
He left the Amsterdam giants for Barcelona that summer — after eight league
titles, five Dutch cups, three European Cups, a Super Cup and an
Intercontinental Cup.
His move to Catalonia started a lifelong association between the Spanish
giants and players from Holland.
Following stints in the US and back in his homeland, Cruyff returned to Ajax
as manager in 1985, winning the Uefa Cup Winners’ Cup after two seasons.
A year later, he took over as Barca boss, creating the ‘Dream Team’.
Cruyff led the club to four consecutive league titles and their first-ever
European Cup success.
In 1999, he was voted as Europe’s Player of the Century.
The Dutch master was a groundbreaking footballer whose philosophy continues to
change the game today.
He will be sadly missed and never ever forgotten.