Hendrik Johannes Cruijff (born: April 25, 1947), known as Johan Cruyff, was a former Dutch midfielder and forward, regarded as one of the best players in the 70s, winning multiple Leagues and European championships.

As a manager, he led FC Barcelona to multiple titles. He grew up from a poor background, living a couple of minutes away from the Ajax stadium De Meer. He was only ten years old when he trained with the club and suddenly football became part of his everyday life. Johan Cruyff played for Ajax, Barcelona, Los Angeles Aztecs, Washington Diplomats, Levante and Feyenoord and The Netherlands.

Career Span

Active player from 1964-1984, spanning 20 years at the highest level of football

Total Football Pioneer

Revolutionized the game with fluid positional play and tactical innovation

Management Success

Won 11 trophies as Barcelona manager including their first European Cup

Greatest Sporting Achievements

In 1971, 1973 and 1974, Cruyff won the Ballon d'Or. He was part of the World Team of the 20th Century, the FIFA World Cup Dream Team in 2002 and the FIFA 100 list of the world's greatest living players in 2004. He won three European Cups.

Playing Career Highlights

Cruyff's playing career was marked by extraordinary success at both club and international level. At Ajax, he won eight Eredivisie titles and three consecutive European Cups from 1971 to 1973. His move to Barcelona in 1973 for a world record fee transformed the Catalan club, leading them to their first La Liga title in 14 years. With the Netherlands national team, he captained the side to the 1974 World Cup final, where they pioneered Total Football despite losing to West Germany.

  • Ajax (1964-1973, 1981-1983): 8 league titles, 3 European Cups
  • Barcelona (1973-1978): 1 La Liga title, 1 Copa del Rey
  • Netherlands: 48 caps, 33 goals, 1974 World Cup runner-up
"Football is a game you play with your brain. You have to be in the right place at the right time, not too early, not too late."
— Johan Cruyff, in his autobiography "My Turn" (2016)

Why Was He So Good?

Johan Cruyff's playing style and football philosophy has had considerable influence on a few notable managers and players. His technical skills, speed and acceleration, as well as his tactical insights made him impossible to defend against.

Football historians often highlight how Cruyff's combination of physical attributes and tactical intelligence was unprecedented in the 1970s. His ability to read the game allowed him to be several moves ahead of opponents, while his technical excellence meant he could execute his vision perfectly.

Johan Cruyff being presented with one of his three Ballon d'Or awards

Johan Cruyff being presented with one of his three Ballon d'Or awards

Statistical Achievements

Category Achievement Details
Individual Awards 3x Ballon d'Or 1971, 1973, 1974
Club Honors 3x European Cup 1971, 1972, 1973 with Ajax
International 48 caps, 33 goals Netherlands (1966-1977)
Career Goals Over 400 goals In all competitions

What You May Not Know

  • He managed Ajax in 1985-1988, Barcelona in 1988-1996 and was appointed honorary coach of the Catalonian national team in 2009-2013.
  • The Dutch "Total Football" player was the first-ever three-time European Player of the Year winner – a career which brought him to the Netherlands, Spain and the US.
  • Johan Cruyff finished second behind Pele in the International Federation of Football History and Statistics World Player of the Century poll.
  • He was a heavy smoker during his playing career, which he later admitted affected his stamina.
  • Cruyff wore number 14 instead of the traditional number 9 or 10, making it iconic in football history.
  • He founded the Johan Cruyff Institute, which offers education in sport management, marketing, and sponsorship.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Ballon d'Or awards did Johan Cruyff win?

Johan Cruyff won three Ballon d'Or awards in 1971, 1973, and 1974. He was the first player ever to win the prestigious award three times, establishing himself as the dominant player of the 1970s.

What clubs did Johan Cruyff play for during his career?

Johan Cruyff played for Ajax, Barcelona, Los Angeles Aztecs, Washington Diplomats, Levante, Feyenoord, and The Netherlands national team. His most successful periods were with Ajax and Barcelona.

What made Johan Cruyff's playing style unique?

Johan Cruyff's playing style combined exceptional technical skills, speed, acceleration, and tactical insights that made him nearly impossible to defend against. He revolutionized football with the Total Football philosophy where players could interchange positions fluidly.

What is the Cruyff Turn?

The Cruyff Turn is a football skill move that Johan Cruyff popularized at the 1974 World Cup. The player feints to pass or shoot, then drags the ball behind their standing leg with the inside of their foot, turning 180 degrees to wrong-foot the defender.

How successful was Cruyff as a manager?

As Barcelona manager from 1988-1996, Cruyff won 11 trophies including four consecutive La Liga titles and the club's first European Cup in 1992. His Dream Team revolutionized Barcelona's playing style and laid the foundation for their future success.