Johan Cruyff: Barcelona, Ajax and Holland legend dies from cancer at 68
Legendary footballer Johan Cruyff has died from cancer at the age of 68.
The iconic former Barcelona, Ajax and Holland player passed away on Friday surrounded by his family.
A three-time winner of the Ballon d'Or in 1971, 1973 and 1974, Cruyff was also one of the game's most influential managers after introducing the Dutch "total football" philosophy to Barcelona.
The creative forward – whose position was sometimes impossible to pin down – wowed fans across the globe at the 1974 World Cup where he led an outrageously talented Holland side to the final and was named player of the tournament.
As manager of Barcelona from 1988 to 1996, Cruyff built the so-called "dream team" that won four consecutive La Liga titles and the European Cup in 1992.
His playing philosophy was weaved into all areas of the club – including the La Masia academy built during his reign – and is credited with providing the foundations for the success of Barcelona and the Spanish national team in recent years.