JOHAN CRUYFF: The Father Of Modern Football

   "If  you can't win, make sure you don't lose"

                                                 -Sir Johan Cruyff

Hendrik Johannes Cruiff, the El Salvador, the warrior, the rebel, the man who split the football atom to make it complete , was born on the 25th of April 1947 in Amsterdam. He internationally known as Johan Cruyff, the number 14. From Ajax to Barcelona, everywhere he played, everywhere he managed a team, he left behind his footprint as an artwork. The pitch was his canvas and he used the football as his paintbrush to create his own works of art in every corner of the pitch. Cruyff was the leader of the football philosophy known as Total Football introduced by Rinus Michels. Later on, he orchestrated this possession based football philosophy throughout his playing and managerial career. 

Youth

He was born and grew up in Amsterdam. Their home was only five minutes away from the Ajax's stadium which was his first football club. Johan was from a humble, working-class family and he was the second son of his family. Cruyff was influenced by his football-loving father to play football. He idolised the  Dutch superstar, Faas Wilkes.

Age level football

At the age of  10, Johan joined the Ajax youth academy with but he was scouted by them when he was 6. Normally, to join in any youth academy someone has to give a trial in order to assess the skill level. But it was not needed for Johan. This was the first sign of his greatness. He played there from 1957 to 1964.

Club career

Ajax

Johan Cruyff made his debut for ajax when he was 17.  In the year 1963 or 1964 it was uncommon to be a fulltime professional football player. But Johan made the exception. At that time, he became the second full professional player of Ajax. Within a short period of time, he started to make an impression and became a regular starter. 

          Johan Cruijff (R) recieves the Cup after winning the European Cup final match between Ajax and Juventus at the Red Star Stadium on May 30, 1973 in Belgrade, Yugoslavia.(Photo by VI Images via Getty Images)

 

He won the first league Championship with Ajax in the 1965-1966 season. During his two period at Ajax, in 329 matches he scored 257 goals and provided around 200 assists. He won 8 league title, 3 European cup, 1 international cup for ajax. In 1973 after winning the last European cup, he decided to make a move to join FC Barcelona. The move would defined him as one of the greatest footballers of all time. 

FC Barcelona

The Catalans was looking for a hero who could stand against Francisco Franco's fascism. The long awaited moment came when the number 14 joined Barca for 2 millions US dollars in a world record transfer fee. Franz Beckenbauer stated,

"When players like Bale and Ronaldo are worth around 100 euros, Johan would go in the billions!"

Johan signed for Barcelona on 22th of august in 1973. After joining Barca, he completely changed the system of play for Barca. He developed the possession based 4-3-3 system. A famous style named tiki-taka football was also introduced by him.

The famous forward earned his nickname, “The Flying Dutchman,” after scoring this iconic aerial  goal during a classic match between FC Barcelona and Atlético de Madrid in 1973 

When he joined the Catalan club, it wasn't the Spanish giant at it's today. Barcelona would always manage to lose to Real Madrid which had great influence of the king of Spain Francisco franco. Besides, the Catalans were being oppressed and were seen as second rank citizens. But all these miseries were gone when Johan started to play for Barca. He helped to win the first league title of  FCB since 1960, defeating the rival Real Madrid 5-0 at their home of the Santiago Bernabeu. He also helped Barca to win the 1977-1978 season's Copa del Rey title. He completely changed the fate of Catalans. He had more influence on them than many politicians. A New York Times  journalist wrote that Cruyff had done more for the spirit of the Catalan people in 90 minutes than many politicians in years of struggle. After being succeed  as a player,  he continued the heritage of Barca by managing the first team of the club from from 1988 to 1996.

International career

At the age of 19, he was a regular starter for the Dutch national team. Cruyff played 48 matches, scoring 33 goals for Netherlands. His contribution to led the Dutch national team to 1974 World Cup final is undoubtedly  one of greatest campaigns in WC history, knocking out Argentina(4-0), East Germany(2-0) and Brazil(2-0) along the way . He carried the whole team single handedly and contributed 6 goals.

                            Johan Cruyff starred for the Netherlands at the 1974 World Cup (Getty Images)

 In spite of having a great run throughout the tournament,  they lost to West Germany 2-1. Franz Beckenbauer lifted the trophy and later paid tribute to Cruyff saying, "He is the better player but I won the world cup". After helping his team to qualify for the upcoming world cup, he retired from international football in 1977. There are rumours behind his decision over retirement.  Political and family issues are one of them. However, Cruyff stated to the journalist Antoni Bassas in 2008 that he and his family were subject to a kidnap attempt in Barcelona a year before the tournament, and that this had caused his retirement. He also staeted, "To play a World Cup you have to be 200% okay, there are moments when there are other values in life."

Messy period of his career and second spell at Ajax

After retiring from football briefly in 1978, Johan invested his money in pig farm where he lost millions. It led him to return in professional career again and he played two season in NASL. In the beginning of 1981, Arsenal, Liecester city made an attempt to sign Cruyff but he instead joined Spanish club Levante. Later on, he returned to playing for Ajax on 30 November, 1981. In his second period at Ajax, he won back to back  league title. 

Ajax decided not to offer Cruyff a new contract at the end of 1982-1983 season which made cruyff angry. He responded by joining for Feyenoord which is Ajax's arcrival and won the Eredivise. After winning double, the veteran decided to take final retirement. His stubbornness, vision, tactical ability made him unique.

Managerial career 

After retiring from football as a player, he continued his streak of success as manager. He returned to Ajax as a manager in the 1985-1986 season. Though he lost the league title in the first season, he won two consecutive KNVB cup for Ajax. He built the basement of Ajax team with a 3-4-3 diamond formation during his period. This system was so successful that they won the champion league in 1995 .

After gathering experience, he returned to Barcelona as a manager. When he took over as a manager, the club was in huge financial crisis. Then there was no looking back for Barca. He completely change the fate of Culers. He brought in some legendary footballers and formed a "Dream Team". He won 4 consecutive league titles which was certainly the greatest run in Barca history.

Scoreboard of  European cup final(1991-1992). Ronald Koeman scored the winning goal and his brilliant free kick helped Barca to lift the trophy for the first time.

After winning league titles, Copa del rey, Supercopa de Espana, the appetence of Cruyff and the Culers was to win the European Cup(UCL) . Finally, the long awaited moment came under the Dutch Mastermind, and Barcelona won the European Cup for the first time in their history beating Sampdoria 1-0 . 

After a long period of time in 2009, he joined as the manager of  Catalonia National Team and there he  ended up his coaching career.

Cruyff 's  "Total Football"  philosophy

 

Johan Cruyff's football philosophy is based on the concept of total football, which emphasizes flexibility, creativity, and teamwork. Each player on the pitch must be able to play numerous positions and feel comfortable handling the ball in order to participate in total football, which requires quick transitions and seamless movement from one position to another. Using triangles frequently to open up space and advance the ball up the field, Cruyff advocated attacking with a focus on possession and rapid passing. Aside from that, he valued both preparing mentally and physically. Cruyff's football philosophy, in its entirety, emphasizes a wholistic approach to the game, integrating technical skill, tactical knowledge, and mental and physical preparation.

Individual Achievements

It's better not to count his individual achievements rather we can try to realize what he had done for football. Perhaps, a short list can be given below

3x Ballon d'Or: 1971, 1973, 1974

FIFA World Cup Golden Ball: 1974

3x Dutch Footballer of the year: 1968, 1972, 1984

2x Dutch Sportsman of the year: 1973, 1974

2x Eredivisie top scorer:  1966-1967, 1971-1972

European Cup top scorer: 1971-1972

FIFA World Cup all-time team: 1994

FIFA 100: 2004

World Team of the 20th century 

Some famous moments of his career

Expulsion against Malaga twice

In 1975, at a match between Barcelona and Malaga, Cruyff was sent off for protesting against a decision of match referee. Then the Franco's police(Gray Mem) came to escort him off the pitch. While leaving the stadium, he kissed his red and yellow armband which signifies the resistance of Catalans against Franco's dictatorship.

 Johan Cruyff, captain of Barcelona, is escorted off the field by police during the Barcelona Vs Malaga match in Malaga, for repeatedly opposing the referee's decision. Malaga eventually beat Barcelona 3-2. (Photo by Central Press/Getty Images)

After two years in 1977 against Malaga, Barca had to contend with an additional force, the match referee, Melero Guazo who made some blunders. Malaga were awarded a goal which was clearly scored by hands and from an offside position at the same time. Moreover, Barca was denied a clear goal and two obvious penalties. again for protesting against referee's unfair decisions, Cruyff was sent off which was a massive injustice.

The pass penalty

The pass penalty wasn't introduced by Lionel Messi and Luiz Suarez, or Robert Pires and Thierry Henry but Johan Cruyff and Jesper Olsen. In a league game in 1982 for Ajax, Cruyff passed the ball to Olsen instead of shot the ball directly. 

The Cruyff turn

Between the match of Netherlands and Sweden in 1974 World Cup, Cruyff introduced a 180 degrees turn in 24th minutes and as he was the first player who did this move, it was named after his name.

 Being tracked tightly by Swedish defender Jan Olsson, and facing his own goal, Cruyff suddenly executed an unexpected 180-degree turn and left his marker standing.

The Phantom/Ghost goal

During a league match between FCB and Atletico Madrid in 1973, Cruyff scored his one of the finest goals of his career. At the 44th minute, Cruyff received a cross which wasn't supposed to be turned into goal but the impossible deed was done by him. He jump into the air, kicked the ball with the outside of his right food and scored the goal. Cruyff earned his name 'The flying Dutchman' after this Phantom or Ghost  goal.


Philanthropic works and winter period of his life

In addition to his prodigious on-field abilities, great Dutch footballer Johan Cruyff was also well-known for his charitable endeavors. The Johan Cruyff Foundation, which he established in 1997 with the intention of promoting sports and physical activity for kids with impairments, was formed by him. Since then, hundreds of kids with disabilities have benefited from the foundation's assistance in participating in sports and other physical activities. Besides, this foundation launched a project named "Cruyff court" which offers children to practice all kind of sports. For these activities, Cruyff received the UEFA Grassroot Award for providing 100th court in 2009. Cruyff also founded the Cruyff Institute, which provides young people with business and sports management courses. He believed that education and sports may aid in the development of important life skills in young people, such as perseverance, leadership, and teamwork. Cruyff's humanitarian efforts have had a profound effect on numerous people and groups all over the world.

Johan Cruyff, the legend, the trailblazer, passed away on March 24, 2016, at the age of 68, after a battle with lung cancer.

Cruyff's death was a significant loss to the footballing world. His legacy as a player and coach in the game of football will live on for as long as there is football. So, his greatest contributions to football will endure forever. Modern football is influenced by his innovations from the field, and he has had a lasting influence on the game. Hence, the whole universe can say in  unison with Diego Maradona,

                  "Johan Cruyff was a revolutionary. He changed the way we think about football"