Johan Cruyff, a Barcelona, Netherlands and Ajax legend as both a player and manager, one of the giants of the game, one of the figures chiefly responsible for the way soccer is played today, has died from cancer at age 68.
A statement on WorldofJohanCruyff.com read:
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.
Ajax, the team Cruyff spent the most time with as a player, posted two tribute videos.
Johan #Cruijff: groots en uniek.https://t.co/oXplmwM7uM
— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) March 24, 2016
Johan #Cruijff: de allergrootste...https://t.co/geNcOkxDHc
— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) March 24, 2016
Fans are finding their own ways to celebrate Cruyff.
Love this: everyone is buying 14 shares in Ajax as a tribute to Johan Cruyff. Beautiful. pic.twitter.com/tgUydz3fTQ
— Alasdair Pal (@Alasdair_Pal) March 24, 2016
He will be remembered for many things: the famous Cruyff turn, his role on perhaps the best national side to not win a World Cup, his managerial work with Barcelona and Ajax. Mostly, though, he will be remembered as a completely unique player who played the game his way and did it better than anyone else, changing how the sport was played in the process.
And, really, what better legacy could you ask for?
Contact The18 Staff Writer Sam Klomhaus at Klomhaus@The18.com or follow him on Twitter @SamKlomhaus
