Johan Cruyff, one of the finest footballers of all time and arguably Europe's greatest, was diagnosed with lung cancer in October 2015.
Johan Cruyff, one of the finest footballers of all time and arguably Europe's greatest, was diagnosed with lung cancer in October 2015.
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Cruyff, a highly successful player and manager, is renowned for the "Cruyff Turn," -- a maneuver copied by amateur and professional footballers all over the world for the four decades. He also helped to champion the "Total Football" philosophy which made the Ajax and Dutch national teams of the 1970s some of the most revered of all times.
Cruyff, a highly successful player and manager, is renowned for the "Cruyff Turn," -- a maneuver copied by amateur and professional footballers all over the world for the four decades. He also helped to champion the "Total Football" philosophy which made the Ajax and Dutch national teams of the 1970s some of the most revered of all times.
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Cruyff (bottom row, second from the right) helped Ajax to three consecutive European Cups in 1971, 1972 and 1973.
Cruyff (bottom row, second from the right) helped Ajax to three consecutive European Cups in 1971, 1972 and 1973.
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His success with Ajax and elsewhere helped him to win the Ballon d'Or -- the old European Player of the Year award -- three times in 1971, 1973 and 1974.
His success with Ajax and elsewhere helped him to win the Ballon d'Or -- the old European Player of the Year award -- three times in 1971, 1973 and 1974.
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He also helped Netherlands to a first ever World Cup final in 1974, which it lost to host West Germany.
He also helped Netherlands to a first ever World Cup final in 1974, which it lost to host West Germany.
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Despite losing the final, Cruyff received the Player of the Tournament award for his efforts in West Germany.
Despite losing the final, Cruyff received the Player of the Tournament award for his efforts in West Germany.
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Cruyff moved from Ajax to Barcelona, where his skill once won the hearts of the Catalan fans. He also enjoyed success as Barca manager, guiding the team to its first European Cup triumph in 1992. Under Cruyff, Barca also won four consecutive Spanish La Liga titles, the European Cup Winners' Cup and the Spanish Copa del Rey.
Cruyff moved from Ajax to Barcelona, where his skill once won the hearts of the Catalan fans. He also enjoyed success as Barca manager, guiding the team to its first European Cup triumph in 1992. Under Cruyff, Barca also won four consecutive Spanish La Liga titles, the European Cup Winners' Cup and the Spanish Copa del Rey.
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While in charge of Barcelona, Cruyff brought through his son Jordi into the team. Jordi went on to play for Netherlands and Manchester United.
While in charge of Barcelona, Cruyff brought through his son Jordi into the team. Jordi went on to play for Netherlands and Manchester United.
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Cruyff seen here with Pele, another of football's greatest ever players.
Cruyff seen here with Pele, another of football's greatest ever players.
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The 68-year-old's last coaching job was with Catalonia's unofficial "national" team, while he also served on Ajax's board until 2012.
The 68-year-old's last coaching job was with Catalonia's unofficial "national" team, while he also served on Ajax's board until 2012.
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