Breaking: Former Barcelona star and 3-time Ballon d’Or winner dies
– Johan Cruyff dies at the age of 68
The football world has been thrown into mourning as Netherlands great Johan Cruyff has died of cancer aged 68, his official website announces.
Johan Cruyff
The former Barcelona player and coach who won the Ballon d’Or in 1971, 1973 and 1974 was said to have succumbed to cancer having battled the terminal illness for some time.
As at the time of his death, he was said to be surrounded by friends and family in Barcelona.
The late legend is regarded as one the greatest players of all time, having won three consecutive European Cups with top European club Ajax and went on to manage Barcelona to their first European Cup triumph in 1992.
The late striker was also crucial as Netherlands reached the World Cup final in 1974, where they lost to West Germany.
It was tournament that he showcased the famous skill known as the ‘Cruyff turn’ in a match against Sweden.
Cruyff, who also played for Levante of Spain in 1981 had double heart bypass surgery in 1991 but was diagnosed with cancer in October 2015.
In February 2016, he disclosed was sure of overcoming lung cancer after feeling he was “2-0 up in a match.”
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