Dutch forward and manager who won three Ballon d'Or awards and shaped the philosophy known as Total Football at Ajax and Barcelona.
Background
Born in Amsterdam, Cruyff joined Ajax as a child and debuted for the senior team in 1964 under coach Rinus Michels, who developed Total Football alongside him.
Career
He won three consecutive European Cups with Ajax and later moved to Barcelona in 1973, where he won the league. He led the Netherlands to the 1974 World Cup final. As Barcelona manager he established the La Masia youth project that defined the club’s later identity.
Style of play
A two-footed forward with vision and quick passing, Cruyff often dropped deep to organize attacks. The “Cruyff Turn” he used at the 1974 World Cup became part of the sport’s vocabulary.
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