This article will tell the story of legendary football player Johan Cruyff, his way of playing the game completely changed football as we knew it. Johan was a true revolutionary of the sport. This article will discuss his youth, his time playing for Ajax and Barcelona. May the legendary number 14 of Ajax never be forgotten he was the real savior of Ajax and Barcelona. He truly changed the game of Football for everybody.
Youth
Johan Cruyff was born on the 25th of April in 1947. His place of birth was Amsterdam, the city of his dream club Ajax. Johan was always running around with a ball. In an interview he was asked what his most precious possession was in his childhood and he answered a ball. He went on to explain why, whenever you bring a ball the other kids will always let you play along. Johan was scouted at the early age of 6 years old to play in the prestigious Ajax youth academy. However, Johan had to wait till the age of 10 to become an official member of Ajax. Normally you would have to play a trial game in order to assess the skill level of the young players, however for Johan this was not needed and he got in straight away. This was the first indication of his greatness even at a young age.
Johan at Ajax
Johan Cruyff made his debut for Ajax at the age of 17. He became the second full professional player in the selection of Ajax at the time. In the year 1963 it was not common for players to be a fulltime professional player in the Netherlands. However for Johan they made an exception. Under the leadership of Cruyff, Ajax would dominate Europe in the early 1970’s. They did this by winning 3 UEFA Europa Cup’s in this time period. The style of football really changed when Johan was on the pitch. He was one of the first players to really understand the importance of space on the pitch. He would direct players in order to create more space of the whole team. Johan became a true leader with many assists and goals however his main goal was to win. He managed to win so many matches because of his invention of the 4–3–3 system. During his first period at Ajax, Johan managed to play 318 matches in which he made 250 goals. This was during a 9 season period. After he won the last European cup in the year of 1973 he decided to make a move. The move that would forever define him as one of the greatest to have ever played the game.
Johan at Fc Barcelona
Johan signed for Fc Barcelona on 22th of August in 1973. During his 5 years at the club he managed to make 227 appearances and 85 goals. However Johan was not attracted for his goals but his style. His style of play completely changed how Barcelona would play from that day on. He introduced the 4–3–3 system and the style known as tikki-takki football. When Johan arrived in Barcelona it was not one of the greatest clubs in the world as it is today. Barcelona would always lose to Real Madrid which had great support of the king of Spain Franco. The Catalans were seen as second rank citizen of Spain and were being oppressed. However this all changed in the first match against Barcelona’s rival Real Madrid. Johan showed why Barcelona singed him. He managed to score a beautiful goal showing every Catalan that David can beat Goliath. By doing so he gave the whole region in Spain believe and self-worth. It was the start of a complete game change for Fc Barcelona and the region. After his time at Barcelona he went back to Ajax to play for another 2 years at the club.
Johan at Ajax rival
Johan Cruyff had an argument with the managing board of Ajax about his contract near the end of his career. They were not willing to meet anything close to his demands and Cruyff was so disappointed that he did the unthinkable. He went to play for the rival of Ajax, Feyenoord, for one year. The class, finesse and style of Johan Cruyff single handedly made Feyenoord Champions of the Dutch league that year. After this year Johan quit playing having proven to the Ajax direction that they were wrong. His stubbornness, unique style and tactical ability is still unmatched in the world of football. Not one player in the world has had such an impact on the way modern football is being played. May Johan Cruyff forever be praised as player and never be forgotten.
His Life after being a professional player
Johan became a trainer and trained numerous clubs like Ajax, Fc Barcelona and the Dutch national team. However the most impactful achievement he managed to accomplish after his career as a professional football player was setting up his foundation. The Johan Cruyff foundation is known throughout the world. The foundations sets up schools, football courts and scholarships around the world. The belief of Johan Cruyff that every child on this planet deserves the opportunity to practice sports and make friends doing it will forever live on because of his foundation. Providing children with this opportunity might be the best way to prolong his legacy.
After his death in 2016 Ajax decided to pay him the ultimate tribute by naming their stadium after the former legend “The Johan Cruyff Stadium”. He will forever be known as the greatest player Ajax has ever had.
