Former Barcelona forward and three time Balon d’Or winner, Johan Cruyff, has died of cancer at the age of 68.
Cruyff wrote his name on the walls of history while playing for Spanish club Barcelona and Ajax, and for his home country, Netherlands.
As a coach, he led Barcelona to win their first European Cup in 1992.
Reacting to Cruyff’s painful demise, the Netherlands’ football association said: “Words can hardly be found for this huge loss.”
“The greatest Dutch footballer of all time and one of the world’s best ever. Our condolences go to his wife, family, friends and the entire football world at home and abroad. We wish everyone a lot of strength in this difficult time.”
Cruyff was diagnosed with lung cancer in October 2015. In February this year, the sick Cruyff stated that he felt he was in “2-0 up in a match” against lung cancer and he was “sure I will end up winning”.
He is renowned for the ‘Cruyff turn’, which he first did in a march between Netherlands and Sweden.
We'll always love you, Johan. Rest in peace
https://t.co/OOKLgPnAyv— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 24, 2016
Both as a player and as a manager, you changed the history of our Club. Thank you Johan
— Josep Maria Bartomeu (@jmbartomeu) March 24, 2016
The genius, the artist, the man who made evolve football; Johan Cruyff has left us. RIP BIG MAN!! pic.twitter.com/6WryD88NOh
— Faustino Asprilla (@TinoasprillaH) March 24, 2016
How good was Cruyff?
Well, how many players in football history could turn like this at speed?https://t.co/hR8UdJCA8e— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) March 24, 2016
Barcelona are preparing a memorial place at Camp Nou in memory of Johan Cruyff, similar to what happened when Vilanova died. [rac1]
— barcastuff (@barcastuff) March 24, 2016
My idol and one of the greatest ever to play this beautiful game. Rest in Peace @JohanCruyff pic.twitter.com/Ae0L2oZxtk
— Steven Pienaar (@therealstevenpi) March 24, 2016
PSG mourn the passing of footballing legend Johan Cruyff. May he rest in peace. #RIPCruyff pic.twitter.com/qAR7s0L86o
— PSG English (@PSG_English) March 24, 2016
