24 Mar 2016 19:22:55
As you know I'm an oldie been around for a while. But though me body don't work as well nowadays, I am lucky enough to see some truly great teams.
The Royal Madrid side of the late 50's
with Di Stephano and Puskas
The Brazillian sides of the 60-70's Pele and too many others.
The wonderful total football of the Dutch and Cruijff.
& our own Invincibles again too many to mention.
But Johan stands out. A man that changed the game, every skill you can think of and a brain to match it. He was a truly great player and coach.
Legend is over used now days not in his case tho. A magnificent player.
A sad day for fans of the beautiful game. and sadly a worse one for his family.
Cancer is an awful disease simple message don't smoke guys.
24 Mar 2016 20:17:41
Just goes to show how brilliant he was, just above the rest of us mere humans, the way he reinvented the game and made it beautiful makes the game as exiting as it is today, sides like our beloved Arsenal and the current great Barcelona sides are all down to his influences.
Im only 20 years old, so I'm unlucky that I never got the chance to see him in his prime, but from videos and documentaries, he was such a graceful player, way ahead of his time on and off the pitch. Like you say, the word legend is a word banded about far to commonly nowadays, but he is out there on his own as one of if not the biggest legend we've ever had in the sport.
Dare I say, the most important footballing person of all time?
R. I. P Johan.
24 Mar 2016 21:26:54
Absolute Legend of a player.
R. I. P Johan.
24 Mar 2016 20:21:15
I've never understood the need to smoke. No lungs are built for it.
25 Mar 2016 09:01:41
It's just as well then Derby hey ðŸ‘ðŸ».
25 Mar 2016 10:46:22
World class is a much over used word in football but for a very few its a word that doesn't come even close to describing their talent and contribution to the game, these very special footballing talents don't just stand out during their careers they are talked about and admired world wide long after they've hung up their boots.
Johan Cruyff sat very comfortably amongst a very small elite group.
Thank you.
25 Mar 2016 11:42:43
World class, celebrity, superstar are all terms thrown around too cheaply nowadays partly due to sensationalism in the media and reality TV.
We have unfortunately lost two people Cruyff and Bowie who easily fit those special labels.
Hats off to Cruyff, what a career on and off the pitch. You set the yardstick for Barcelona and showed how football should be played. Thoughts go to your family and loved ones.
25 Mar 2016 11:43:15
One of those rare magicians, much like messi, who was essentially smarter than anyone else playing at the time.
Mixed in with an incredibly strong set of principles and genuine self belief.
Without him, almost unquestionably anyone we consider an "a grade" player today, would have half the technical proficiency that they posses. Barcelona would likely not be the institution they are without the academy he proposed.
Quite literally taught the world the "Dutch way"
A huge loss.
25 Mar 2016 16:08:20
World class player and will never be forgotten I must add.