Johan Cruyff, one of the best players to ever kick a football, has died at the age of 68.
A statement was posted on Cruyff’s official website earlier this morning:
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.
Cruyff was diagnosed with lung cancer last October but appeared to be coping with it well. Just last month he spoke with the press about his ongoing treatment and appeared upbeat and optimistic.
The legendary playmaker came up through Ajax’s academy system and spent the first nine years of his senior career there. During this time he helped lead the squad to eight Eredivisie titles, five KNVB Cups, and three European Cups. He later moved to Barcelona— which at the time wasn’t quite the football juggernaut it is now— and helped them win a La Liga title and a Copa del Rey title. He then joined the growing number of European stars in the old NASL before returning briefly to Spain for Levante, the back to Ajax, before finishing his playing career, controversially, at Feyenoord. He was also a crucial squad member for the Dutch National Team, leading them to the 1974 World Cup Final (which they lost 2-1 to West Germany) and to third place in the 1976 Euros.