Johan Cruyff
The architect of Total Football and a three-time Ballon d'Or winner.
via Wikipedia: Johan Cruyff · see source
Hendrik Johannes Cruijff (25 April 1947 – 24 March 2016), internationally known as Johan Cruyff, was a Dutch professional football player and manager. Regarded as one of the greatest players in history and as the greatest Dutch footballer ever, he won the Ballon d'Or three times, in 1971, 1973, and 1974. Cruyff was a proponent of the football philosophy known as Total Football, developed by Rinus Michels, both as a player and a manager.
Quick Facts
- Full name
- Hendrik Johannes Cruijff
- Born
- 25 April 1947
- Birthplace
- Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Died
- 24 March 2016
- Place of death
- Barcelona, Spain
- Height
- 1.78 m / 5 ft 10 in
- Position
- Forward, attacking midfielder
- Total caps
- 518
Lore & Background
After finishing third in UEFA Euro 1976, Cruyff refused to play in the 1978 FIFA World Cup after a kidnapping attempt targeting him and his family in their Barcelona home led to his retirement from international football. At club level, he started at Ajax in 1964, winning six Eredivisie titles, three European Cups, and one Intercontinental Cup. He moved to FC Barcelona in 1973, winning the La Liga title in 1973–74 and the Copa del Rey once. After stints at the Los Angeles Aztecs, Washington Diplomats, and Levante, he returned to Ajax in 1981, winning two more Eredivisie titles, then moved to Feyenoord in 1983, winning the double in his only season there. As a manager, he won the 1987 European Cup Winners' Cup with Ajax, and four La Liga titles and one European Cup with Barcelona.
Reader's Guide
Cruyff founded the Johan Cruyff Foundation in 1997 to help disadvantaged children and those with special educational needs. He is the originator of several catchphrases known as Cruijffiaans. In 1999, he was voted European Player of the Century by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics, and came second behind Pelé in their World Player of the Century poll.
Did You Know?
- Cruyff anglicised his last name; in the Netherlands he is known as Cruijff.
- His father died of a heart attack on 8 July 1959, which drove Cruyff to accumulate money for security.
- Cruyff quit secondary education without a diploma after staying down twice.
- He was shaped by Calvinism and later experimented with spiritualistic practices to contact his deceased father.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Total Football associated with him?
He perfected a system called Total Football that required all outfielders to switch roles seamlessly during matches. This approach erased rigid boundaries between defenders and strikers to maximize creative freedom on the field.
Which clubs did he play for in his career?
His playing tenure included stints at European giants like Ajax and Barcelona as well as US teams such as the Washington Diplomats. Later in life, he returned to manage these historic clubs to further cement his philosophy within their structures.
What individual awards did Cruyff win?
Individual accolades included winning the prestigious Ballon d'Or trophy on three separate occasions for his exceptional skill. He also captained the Dutch national team to a memorable second-place finish at the 1974 World Cup finals.
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