Johan Cruyff

Hendrik Johannes Cruijff, best known as Johan Cruyff, is a former Dutch soccer player who can be considered as the second best player behind King Pele. His soccer career began at a local club Ajax in 1964 where he soon became a star. His superp skills on the ball, ability to control the pace of game, and to boost up his teammates to a higher level made him a very priceless player, and made a major contribution to the team in conquering Europe.

Cruyff helped his team to reach where it has never been before, winning six Dutch league championships, four domestic cup titles, and three straight European Cup from 1971 - 1973 on top of the Super Cup and World Club Cup title. This was the era of Cruyff, taking over Pele's legacy and being named the second best player of the world.

Cruyff transferred to Barcelona after scoring 250 goals in 318 matches for Ajax when his teammates voted Piet Keizer as the team captain. As soon as he got to Spain, he helped Barca to win the Spanish league championship for the first time in 14 years.

In 1974, Cruyff captained the Netherlands national team, impressing all soccer fans in West Germany. "Total-Soccer", Netherlands' style of game playing where all players move at the same time, somehow outnumbered all the opponents in their penalty areas, beating strong opponents such as Brazil and Argentina. Cruyff and his army advanced to finals facing the host nation West Germany. Cruyff and Neesken put up a goal first, however, Germany came back and beat Netherlands 2-1. Even though Netherlands lost the game, all the fans supported and loved them for making such good impressions.

After 1974, he never played in another World Cup, retiring soon after taking part in World Cup qualifiers against Argentina in 1978. However, shortly after his retirement, Cruyff came back to play soccer in North America and played for LA Aztecs and Washington Diplomats for 3 years. Then he moved back to his first team Ajax in 1981, winning two more Dutch league championships and another domestic title. In 1984, his magnificent soccer carrer ended as he beat his rival team, Feyenoord.

At the age of 37, Johan Cruyff retired with 752 official game appearance and 425 goals, three times of European Footballer of the Year, and his legendary move, the "Cruyff turn". Who he is, and what he did, and what he left to the game of soccer, will never be forgotten by us.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pTgHDjf_4I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pTgHDjf_4I

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yr1VWSntqRg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yr1VWSntqRg