Footballer Johan Cruyff: biography, photo and Career

Johan Cruyff (see below photo.) - Dutch former football player and manager. One of the greatest players in football history, a three-time winner of the "Golden Ball" (in 1971, 1973 and 1974). At one time he was the most successful player and leader commands such as "Ajax" and "Barcelona." In addition, the team has become a legend of the Netherlands. As a coach won 6 trophies from "Ajax" and 21 during the period of the "Barcelona". Johan Cruyff - one of the few people in the history of football, which has been incredibly successful as a player, and then - as a coach.

Biography: family, early years, passion for soccer

Born April 25, 1947 in Amsterdam. Raised in a bourgeois family, father Cornelis Hermanus Cruijff was the owner of a grocery store, and his mother - Petronella Bernarda Drayyer helped manage the family business. From an early age, Johan started playing football, he was doing it all his spare time. Mother remembers that for a week he could trample their school shoes in neprilezhny appearance. At the age of ten, a guy started to follow the scouts of the football club "Ajax", where he later held the best time in his professional career.

When Johan was 12 years old, his father died of a heart attack. The boy is very worried about his death, and constantly argued that he could still feel his presence in my life. The family was forced to sell the store and look for new sources of revenue - the mother of Johan started an apprenticeship as a cleaner in the football club "Ajax", and the Johan was an assistant in charge of maintaining the field of lawn, he fell asleep sand ruined land after heavy rain, and watched the markup. In his spare time he played football. Its partners and rivals were mostly adult guys, who were 18-19 years old, at a time when Johan was only 14. Such training tempered young man, he became stronger, both physically and intellectually. Soon the young Cruyff began to surpass themselves senior player in every sense.

A professional career in "Ajax"

In 1962, the club magazine readers "Ajax" and learned that the team is growing a great talent, who plays a cut above their peers and not only them. October 24, 1964 Vic Buckingham coach invited seventeen Johan Cruyff play for "ayaksidov" in a friendly match against the club "Helmond Sport". Debutant left the field only for a few minutes, without having to demonstrate their skills useful for the result. This debut Dutchman took place on November 14 of the same year, when he played against the "Groningen". Despite the fact that the "Ajax" then lost with a score of 1: 3, all spectators will remember a young guy in the attack, which caused a stir prestige goal for your club three minutes before the end of the match.

to rehabilitate the

In the season 1964/65, "Ajax" showed the lowest result in its history - the thirteenth place in the Eredivisie among 16 teams. The following season, the young Johan Cruyff began to pull the club from the bottom, becoming a major player in the composition. In the match against the club Door Wilskracht Sterk November 24, 1965, he issued a double, even more surprising all Holland. In the next seven matches, the young striker scored eight goals, taking the top spot in the list of scorers in the national championship. In March 1966, Johan Cruyff goals helped arrange the defeat of "Telstar," then football hat-trick and the match ended with a score of 6: 2 in favor of "Ajax". Four days later, Cruyff scored four goals in the cup match against "Vendama". In total, in the season 1965-66 Cruyff scored 25 goals in 23 matches and ensured his club win the championship of the Netherlands. Soon, the attacker was seen by the Dutch national team coach George Kessler, who summoned him to the offseason. Footballer Johan Cruyff was distinguished among other unique dribbling, speed and innovative vision of the game. In the national team, he demonstrated the same level already in the debut against Hungary, where he scored a goal at the end of the match, September 7, 1966. Soon, the whole world learned about a new football star.

Achievements in the "Ajax"

As part of "ayaksidov" Cruyff has achieved incredible success of the series, winning the most important trophy in club football. For ten seasons, he (1964-1974), he became the eightfold champion of the Netherlands, the five-time national Cup, three-time winner of the European Cup, the UEFA Cup and the Intercontinental Cup conqueror.

After spending a part of 239 matches, he was the author of 190 goals. Playing under legendary later became the 14th number, Johan Cruyff won the obscenely large number of individual awards. In 1971, 1973 and 1974-ies Dutch striker became the owner of the Golden Ball. At the same time, in 10 years of playing in the "Ajax" He was eight times nominated for this trophy.

Developments in the national team of the Netherlands

As part of the national team Johan Cruyff played 48 matches and scored 33 goals. The surprising fact - the Netherlands national team has never lost a match in which Cruyff scored. His debut, he made September 7, 1966 against Hungary, which has managed to distinguish a goal. By the way, in his second game against Czechoslovakia, the young striker was the first Dutch International, which received a red card and was suspended for several matches. Achievements Cruyff in the national team celebrated silver medals at the World Championships in 1974 and bronze - at Euro 1976.

The history of the Netherlands national team at the World Championship in 1974

Johan Cruyff led the Dutch national team to second place in the 1974 World Cup and was named player of the tournament. On the way to the final in the play-off stage, the Dutch played up in the dry Argentina, East Germany, Brazil, reaching the tournament hosts West Germany.

Among all the games most discussed was the semi-final with Brazil. During the match, the Dutch part of the underclass of his rival in all respects. The victory of the "orange" came out not so large, only 2: 0, but the style of play and the anger of Brazilians - an unforgettable event. Representatives of the South American continent at some point the game began to constantly break the rules and to enter into disputes with the referees. The media wrote that the Dutch team played great football, but the Brazilians fought.

The football, which showed the Dutch national team, no doubt gave to the world that "divine" Johan Cruyff and his "gang" will become world champions. Dutch part of the spot bore all that stand in their way. It was an unparalleled football, which is called "vseatakuyuschim" and "total". Johan at the tournament in Argentina was distinguished by the double gates and scored one goal Brazilians.

At the start of the final match of the Dutch managed to earn a penalty, which was implemented by Johan Johan Neeskens. "Good Germans" gradually began to impose their adjusted tactical football, playing as clearly and accurately. In the center of the field began to dominate Franz Beckenbauer, Uli Hoenes and Wolfgang Overath, while in Germany began to attack to succeed Gerd Muller and others. The team from West Germany eventually won with a score of 1: 2 and became the world champion.

A career in the "Barcelona"

August 13, 1973 J. Cruyff signed a contract with the Catalan "Barcelona". The Amsterdam club demanded of its leader of 24 million dollars. In the first season of "blue garnet" Johan changed the face of the team. For a long time the Dutch striker could make his debut as part of the transition. During this time, "Catalan" fell down standings typing only 4 points in 7 matches. Cruyff's debut on October 28 to "Granada" - striker scored twice, and the total score was 4: 0. Since the debut of the Dutch striker team never lost in 26 matches. "Barcelona" won the championship of Spain for the first time in 14 years! Johan Cruyff quickly won the hearts of fans.

February 17, 1974 "Catalans" defeated Madrid "Real" with a score of 5: 0, which at that time was the highest defeat of the "royal" club in Gran Derby.

Developments in the "Barcelona"

In total in the "Barcelona" Johan Cruyff champion of Spain, a three-time winner of the silver medal, the owner and holder of the Cup of Spain. More serious Dutchman successes achieved in this club already as head coach from 1988 to 1996 .: four wins in the Liga, Copa del Rey, three wins in the Spanish Super Cup, European Cup and UEFA Super Cup.

The reason for the death of Johan Cruyff

It is known that football was a heavy smoker. It is great to play football, but he continued to feed your body with nicotine, ignoring criticisms from others. In 1991, doctors found Cruyff number of cardiovascular diseases, thus forbade him to use tobacco. However, family and friends have already become legendary coach knew that he continues to smoke. In October 2015, doctors diagnosed with lung cancer.

Johan Cruyff died March 24, 2016. The next day, his body was cremated in Barcelona. On March 26 the funeral of the Dutch football player and coach at the stadium "Camp Nou", where thousands gathered audience. In April 2018 the home stadium of "Ajax" - "Amsterdam Arena" stadium was renamed "Johan Cruyff Arena".