Johan Cruyff: A football legend

Johan Cruyff is one of the greatest players in the history of football. His technique and attitude on the field made him recognized worldwide as the ultimate exponent of total football. The YouTube channel "Academia Play" tells the story of the "Golden Tulip" in just over five minutes.

Cruyff received the Ballon d'Or three times (1971, 1973, and 1974), a record he shares with Michel Platini and his compatriot Marco Van Basten. He is considered by the IFHHS as the second-best player of the 20th century, behind the Brazilian Pelé.

He was born in Amsterdam on April 25, 1947. His mother, who called him "Jopie," worked as a cleaner at Ajax Amsterdam Football Club. She convinced the coach to select Johan to join the club's youth team. That's how, at the age of 10, Johan was chosen among 300 other children and began his long career as a footballer.

According to the YouTube publication, at the age of 12, Johan's father, who was a fruit seller, died of a heart attack. The following year, Cruyff would drop out of school to focus solely on football. Later on, young Johan would find his father figure in Rinus Michels. Michels designed a physical and dietary plan to improve Cruyff's physique.

At the age of 17, Cruyff made his debut with Ajax in the Dutch Premier League, scoring the only goal of the match. This marked the successful start of the career of the greatest European footballer of all time, leading Ajax to its highest level of success.

In 1973, Cruyff moved to Barcelona, even though Ajax had initially negotiated with Real Madrid. The Catalonian club was going through a rough patch, but with the arrival of the "Skinny One," they took the first place and won a championship after 14 years. Afterwards, Cruyff would go on to play in the United States league.

Johan Cruyff competed in two World Cup finals with the Netherlands, the first in 1974 and the second in 1978. Despite not winning the tournament, much is still said about Cruyff's famous "Clockwork Orange," for the "total football" displayed on the field.

His career tied to this sport did not end there. Cruyff became the coach of both Ajax and Barcelona. With the Catalans, he achieved 4 consecutive leagues and the first European Cup, with the famous "Dream Team" composed of Laudrup, Koeman, Stoichkov, Romario, and Guardiola.

On March 24, 2016, Cruyff passed away at the age of 68 in Barcelona, a victim of lung cancer. That's how a legend was born.

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