The global football world was dealt with a major blow earlier today after it was announced that Dutch football legend Johan Cruyff had passed away aged 68, after a long battle with cancer.
Cruyff was a well-documented smoker until he underwent heart surgery in 1991. He’s been battling lung cancer for some time, though he only made the news public in October 2015.
His passing comes as a major shock, considering that Cruyff claimed to be ‘2-0 up’ in his battle against lung cancer last month. But an official statement on his website announced the unfortunate news earlier today, which sent shockwaves around the globe.
“On March 24 2016 Johan Cruyff (68) died peacefully in Barcelona, surrounded by his family after a hard fought battle with cancer. It’s with great sadness that we ask you to respect the family’s privacy during their time of grief,” the statement read.
Ajax Football Club also released a statement, which read: “Johan Cruyff has died in Barcelona at the age of 68. The greatest Ajax player of all time had suffered with lung cancer since October last year. Ajax share in this great loss and wish the families much strength.”
Tributes are pouring in from all around the globe as we speak, and in remembrance of a footballing icon that undoubtedly changed the sport, we’ve attached a Sky Sports documentrary on his career as a footballer and coach.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Srx8rZc1jcs
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