Johan Cruyff passes away at 68

The former Barça great, both as player and
manager, died on Thursday, 24 March after a
long battle with cancer.

FC Barcelona legend Johan Cruyff passed away on Thursday 24 March following a long battle with cancer.

Cruyff arrived at the club in August 1973 from Ajax, renowned as one of the best players in the world. Barça soon began to reap the
rewards as the Dutch magician helped Barca to the league title in his first season, and went
on to win his second and third Ballon d’Or. With his intelligent play, superb technique and
leadership, he quickly became an icon for Barça.

His acrobatic strike against Atlético Madrid and the 5-0 win at the Santiago Bernabeu in
1974, among many other great moments, will live long in the memory of Barça fans. In
1978, after winning the Copa del Rey, Cruise left the club.

Ten years later, however, he would return as manager. He was in the dugout for eight
seasons, during which time he led the club through its most successful ever period up
until that point. He won four consecutive. league titles and guided the club to its first
ever European Cup in May 1992 at Wembley, among other successes. He formed the side
that would go onto be known as the legendary ‘Dream Team’, a team that amazed everyone
with their extraordinary style.
In 1996, he left the Barça bench, and in 1999 was chosen as the player of the century in
Europe. He was a figure actively involved with
Catalonia too, and in. September 2006, the
Government of Catalonia awarded him with the Cross of St. George, and he later became the manager of the Catalan national football
team.