Johan Cruyff

Johan Cruyff, born Hendrik Johannes Cruijff, was a Dutch football player and manager, born on April 25, 1947, and passing away on March 24, 2016. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest football players in history and the best Dutch footballer ever. Cruyff won the Ballon d'Or three times, in 1971, 1973, and 1974, and is celebrated for his role in developing and popularizing the football philosophy known as Total Football, which he learned under Rinus Michels and later implemented as a manager.

During the late 1960s and early 1970s, Dutch football underwent a transformation from semi-professionalism to becoming a dominant force in the sport. Cruyff played a pivotal role in this transition, leading the Netherlands to the final of the 1974 FIFA World Cup, where he received the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player.

At the club level, Cruyff started his career at Ajax, where he won numerous Eredivisie titles, European Cups, and other trophies. He then moved to Barcelona in 1973, where he continued his success, winning La Liga and further individual awards.

Cruyff's impact extended beyond his playing career; he became a highly successful manager, particularly with Ajax and Barcelona. His coaching style and philosophy left a lasting mark on the sport, earning him recognition as one of the greatest managers of all time.

In addition to his on-field and managerial accomplishments, Cruyff was honored with numerous awards and accolades, including being voted European Player of the Century by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics and being named in various all-time teams and lists recognizing the greatest football players in history.


Hendrik Johannes "Johan" Cruyff was born on April 25, 1947, in the Burgerziekenhuis Hospital in Amsterdam. He grew up in east Amsterdam, just a short distance from Ajax's stadium, which would later become his first football club. Johan was the second son of Hermanus Cornelis Cruijff (1913–1959) and Petronella Bernarda Draaijer (1917–2007).

Coming from a modest, working-class background, Cruyff was heavily influenced by his father's love for football. Living close to the Akkerstraat Stadium, he spent much of his time playing football with his schoolmates and older brother Henny (1944–2023). Cruyff idolized Dutch dribbler Faas Wilkes during his early years, drawing inspiration from his playing style.


In 1959, when Cruyff was just 12 years old, his father passed away from a heart attack. This event had a profound impact on Cruyff's outlook on life. He harbored a belief that he would meet the same fate at the age of 45, the same age his father was when he died. When Cruyff experienced serious heart issues at the age of 45, he feared the worst, but modern medical interventions saved his life.

The loss of his father fueled Cruyff's determination to excel in football as a tribute to his memory. He saw his football career as a way to honor his father's legacy. Cruyff frequently visited his father's burial site at Oosterbegraafplaats, a cemetery in Amsterdam.

Following his father's death, Cruyff's mother, Petronella, took up a job as a cleaner at Ajax, the football club where her son would later become an iconic figure. She made this decision because she felt unable to continue working at the grocery store without her husband. This experience instilled in Cruyff a strong sense of the importance of financial security. His mother eventually remarried, and her new husband, Henk Angel, who worked as a field hand at Ajax, played a significant role in Cruyff's upbringing.


Johan Cruyff's journey with Ajax began on his tenth birthday when he joined the club's youth system. His exceptional talent caught the eye of Ajax youth coach Jany van der Veen, who observed Cruyff and offered him a spot at the club without a formal trial. Cruyff's natural abilities were evident even in his early years.


Initially, Cruyff's sporting interests leaned more towards baseball, and he continued playing the sport until he reached the age of fifteen, at which point his coaches advised him to focus solely on football.

Cruyff made his debut for the Ajax first team on 15 November 1964, during a match against GVAV in the Eredivisie. Despite Ajax finishing in a relatively low position that year, Cruyff's talent began to shine in the 1965–66 season. He cemented his place as a regular first-team player after scoring two goals against DWS in October 1965. Throughout that season, he showcased his scoring prowess, netting 25 goals in 23 games and playing a pivotal role in Ajax clinching the league championship.

Cruyff's early performances established him as one of the most promising young talents in Dutch football, laying the groundwork for his legendary career ahead.


During the 1966–67 season, Ajax continued their dominance by clinching both the league championship and the KNVB Cup, marking Cruyff's first "double" with the club. Cruyff's impact on the field was profound, as he emerged as the top scorer in the Eredivisie with an impressive tally of 33 goals.

The following season, 1967–68, saw Ajax secure their third consecutive league title, further solidifying their status as the dominant force in Dutch football. Cruyff's remarkable performances earned him the title of Dutch footballer of the year for the second consecutive year, a testament to his growing influence in the sport.

In a significant milestone, Cruyff played in his first European Cup final on 28 May 1969, facing Milan. However, despite his efforts, Ajax faced a defeat with Milan emerging victorious with a scoreline of 4–1. Despite the setback, Cruyff's presence on the European stage signaled the beginning of his illustrious career at the highest levels of football.


In the 1969–70 season, Cruyff achieved his second league and cup "double" with Ajax, further solidifying his status as one of the premier talents in Dutch football. However, at the onset of the 1970–71 season, Cruyff encountered a setback as he suffered a groin injury. Nonetheless, he made a triumphant comeback on 30 October 1970 against PSV, opting to wear the number 14 jersey instead of his usual number 9, which was occupied by Gerrie Mühren. This decision became iconic, and from that point onward, Cruyff sported the number 14 jersey, even with the Dutch national team.

In a remarkable display of skill and dominance, Cruyff netted an incredible six goals in a league game against AZ '67 on 29 November 1970, contributing to Ajax's resounding 8–1 victory. The season proved to be historic for Ajax as they secured their first European Cup triumph on 2 June 1971, defeating Panathinaikos 2–0 in London. Following this achievement, Cruyff was honored as the Dutch and European Footballer of the Year for 1971, marking a crowning moment in his career.

The following year, in 1972, Ajax clinched their second European Cup title by defeating Inter Milan 2–0 in the final, with Cruyff displaying his prowess by scoring both goals. His performance not only propelled Ajax to victory but also signaled a shift in the perception of defensive football styles. Cruyff's remarkable goal-scoring abilities were evident as he emerged as the top scorer in the league with 25 goals, leading Ajax to another league championship.

The 1972–73 season witnessed further success for Cruyff and Ajax as they secured their third consecutive European Cup title with a hard-fought 1–0 victory over Juventus in the final. Additionally, Ajax clinched the league championship once again, further solidifying their dominance in European football during that era. Throughout these remarkable achievements, Cruyff's influence and impact on the game continued to grow, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest footballers of all time.

References

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4. a b Moore, Rob; Stokkermans, Karel (21 January 2011). "European Footballer of the Year ("Ballon d'Or")". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 16 January 2009. Retrieved 13 January 2015.
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