The football world was stunned today by the news that legendary Dutch footballer Johan Cruyff had passed away.
Dutch publications reported that Cruyff had died following a battle with cancer. He was 68 years of age.
Cruyff is regarded by many to be one of the most influential figures in footballing history.
A three-time Ballon D’Or winner, he won three consecutive European Cups with Ajax as a player, before managing Barcelona to their first European Cup in 1992.
Cruyff, along with mentor Rinus Michels, pioneered the “Total Football” theory of football, where a team would boast a balanced side of players capable of easily swapping position at will. He is called by many a footballing philosopher, behind much of Ajax’s and Barcelona current play.
He also gave us the Cruyff turn – an excellent way to get out of a tricky bind, not to mention make a defender look silly.
Football fans from around the world have started to mourn the great man on social media.
An athlete who changed the way people talk about, appreciate and play football. What a legacy. #RIPCruyff pic.twitter.com/nOM5WJhhm0
— Hari Sethi (@Hari_Sethi) March 24, 2016
Oh, no. Poor, poor Johan Cruyff. As the famous quote goes, "Now he belongs to the ages."
— Musa Okwonga (@Okwonga) March 24, 2016
May you RIP Johan Cruyff… pic.twitter.com/BLZPMjabdI
— Stanley Chow (@stan_chow) March 24, 2016
Johan Cruyff: A man so cool his 1974 Netherlands World Cup strip was tailored with two stripes because he wore Puma and not Adidas.
— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) March 24, 2016
Rest in peace Johan Cruyff. A true legend of the game. pic.twitter.com/XFf6J02CGy
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) March 24, 2016
Cruyff’s son Jordi posted this lovely tribute to his dad last weekend.
In Spain it's father's day! Thanks for being who you are & teaching me life's values, my role model @JohanCruyff pic.twitter.com/urREFdpG2r
— Jordi Cruyff (@JordiCruyff) March 19, 2016
RIP Johan.
