Johan Cruyff, Dutch football legend, dies at the age of 68

[Ron Obvious]

The Holland football legend Johan Cruyff has died of cancer at the age of 68. The Dutchman, who on three occasions was voted the world player of the year, guided Holland to the World Cup final in 1974 and as a manager he spent eight years in charge of Barcelona.

“On March 24 2016 Johan Cruyff (68) died peacefully in Barcelona, surrounded by his family after a hard fought battle with cancer. It’s with great sadness that we ask you to respect the family’s privacy during their time of grief,” read a statement on the World of Johan Cruyff website.

Just last month the former Ajax, Barcelona and Holland star, one of the main exponents, along with Rinus Michels, of the world famous Total Football – the Dutch style of play that involved players constantly interchanging roles – popularised in the 1970s but still playing a major influence on modern football, said he was ‘2-0 up’ in his match with lung cancer.

Ajax issued a short statement that read: “Johan Cruyff has died in Barcelona at the age of 68. The greatest Ajax player of all time had suffered with lung cancer since October last year. Ajax share in this great loss and wish the families much strength.”

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/mar/24/johan-cruyff-dies-aged-68-holland-football-legend

RIP, You legend... The 1974 WC and your Dutch national team are what turned me into a fan of the sport.

[ornotna]

1. "If I wanted you to understand it, I would have explained it better."

What a great footballer. RIP Johan Cruyff.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/12-brilliant-johan-cruyff-quotes-7621706

[BKH70041]

2. Total Football

I first saw him the one year he play for the LA Aztecs in the NASL. I saw him toward the end of his career when he was playing for Feyenoord, but he had slowed down at that time. Would have loved to see him in his prime at Ajax and Barcelona.

RIP

[Bernie93]

3. RIP Johan

I was not lucky to watch him playing but i have no doubts that he was a legend