Johan Cruyff ‘El Flaco’
With only ten years he was part of the lower categories of Ajax. He quickly went through all the youth ranks until he made it to the first squad, on the recommendation of Vic Buckingham.
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Johan Cruyff ‘El Flaco’
Of weak complexion, Rinus Michels subjected him to a specific physical exercise program so that he would be able to withstand the harshness of a professional career.
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Johan Cruyff ‘El Flaco’
Their debut match was held on November 15, 1964, against GVAV Groningen. This was the beginning of the career of the considered best European player in history
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Johan Cruyff ‘El Flaco’
In the 1966-1967 season, Ajax won the League Championship again, but also won the Dutch Cup, Cruyff’s first double. Johan finished the season as the top scorer in the Eredivisie with 33 goals.
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Johan Cruyff ‘El Flaco’
Cruyff’s goal in a European Cup match of the 67/68 season Ajax – Real Madrid
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Johan Cruyff ‘El Flaco’
Final of the 1969 European Cup between Milan and Ajax at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium. Johan Cruyff did not shine in this final because he was annulled by a sticky Trapattoni.
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Johan Cruyff ‘El Flaco’
Cruyff with Ajax during the 1971 European Cup Final against Panathinaikos
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Johan Cruyff lifting the 1971 European Cup with Ajax
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Johan Cruyff ‘El Flaco’
Johan Cruyff lifting the 1973 European Cup
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Johan Cruyff ‘El Flaco’
September 11, 1982, Ajax – Sparta match, Johan Cruyff and Louis van Gaal in Cruyff’s second spell at Ajax.
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LEO BIRD SONG
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Johan Cruyff ‘El Flaco’
Johan Cruyff was the driving force behind Ajax’s successes from the mid-1960s to the early 1970s. Ajax became the clear dominator of football on the old continent, winning 6 Leagues and 4 Cups, 3 European Cups, 1 Intercontinental Cup and 1 European Super Cup.
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Johan Cruyff ‘El Flaco’
On August 13, 1973, Cruyff signed with Barcelona. The transfer became the most expensive in football history up to that time (60 million pesetas) and he signed a contract for 12,000 dollars per month.
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Johan Cruyff ‘El Flaco’
Cruyff was received in Barcelona as a true idol.
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Johan Cruyff ‘El Flaco’
Johan Cruyff, Hugo Sotil and Johan Neeskens with Barcelona in 1974.
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STF
AFP
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Johan Cruyff ‘El Flaco’
Cruyff’s famous ‘Espuela’ (heel goal) goal against Atlético de Madrid in the 73/74 season.
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Johan Cruyff ‘El Flaco’
Cruyff’s famous ‘Espuela’ (heel goal) goal against Atlético de Madrid in the 73/74 season
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Johan Cruyff ‘El Flaco’
On February 17, 1974, he won 0-5 in his visit to Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu
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Johan Cruyff ‘El Flaco’
His stay in Barcelona left a great mark on him, as he very quickly integrated into Catalan culture.
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Johan Cruyff ‘El Flaco’
In the 1977-1978 season, his last season as a Blaugrana, Johan scored 11 goals in the 3 competitions. His problems with the board make him leave Spanish football.
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Johan Cruyff ‘El Flaco’
The cover of France Football announcing the 1971 Ballon d’Or.
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Johan Cruyff ‘El Flaco’
Johan Cruyff with the 1972 Ballon d’Or.
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Johan Cruyff ‘El Flaco’
He received the Ballon d’Or three times (1971, 1973 and 1974)
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Johan Cruyff ‘El Flaco’
He is considered by FIFA one of the four best soccer players of the 20th century along with Pelé, Diego Armando Maradona and Alfredo Di Stéfano.
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Johan Cruyff ‘El Flaco’
After a brief period of inactivity, Cruyff decided to join the American League. He playing for the Los Angeles Aztecs, Washington Diplomats and occasionally the New York Cosmos in which he appears in this image alongside Beckenbauer.
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Evening Standard
Getty Images
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Johan Cruyff ‘El Flaco’
The year 1981 would begin in the Spanish Second Division, playing for several months with Levante UD, which he arrived in March
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Johan Cruyff ‘El Flaco’
Cruyff with the humorous group La Trinca.
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Fernando Zueras
Diario AS
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Johan Cruyff ‘El Flaco’
Johan Cruyff poses with his children before his tribute match in Barcelona.
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Johan Cruyff ‘El Flaco’
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Fernando Zueras
Diario AS
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Johan Cruyff ‘El Flaco’
On September 7, 1966, Johan made his debut as a player for the Dutch national team in a match against the Hungarian national team, scoring the tie at 2 (final result) in the last minute of the match.
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Johan Cruyff ‘El Flaco’
The Dutch team played a game that would go down in history as Total Football and that revolved around the figure of Johan Cruyff. This selection would be remembered as the Clockwork Orange, being considered one of the greatest teams in the history of football.
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Johan Cruyff ‘El Flaco’
Dutch team in the final of the 1974 World Cup in Germany, facing Federal Germany. The final opted for the German side, 2-1. Maier throws himself at Cruyff’s feet
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Johan Cruyff ‘El Flaco’
In the year 1976, Johan also participated in the European Championship. The Dutch national team faced the Belgian team in the quarterfinals. The second leg was played at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels on May 22, ending the match 1-2 in favor of the Dutch and in which Johan scored the second goal.
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Johan Cruyff ‘El Flaco’
In 1984, after retiring as a player from the pitch, Cruyff became coach of Ajax and later coach of FC Barcelona
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Johan Cruyff ‘El Flaco’
On the bench next to Rexach.
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Fernando Zueras
Diario AS
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Johan Cruyff ‘El Flaco’
Cruyff won the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1987 against Lokomotiv Leipzig during his time as coach of Ajax.
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Johan Cruyff ‘El Flaco’
Cruyff with Guardiola.
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Fernando Zueras
Diario AS
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Johan Cruyff ‘El Flaco’
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Fernando Zueras
Diario AS
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Johan Cruyff ‘El Flaco’
Cruyff in his period as coach of Barcelona giving instructions to his players
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Johan Cruyff ‘El Flaco’
In the summer of 1990 his place on the Barça bench was not at all certain, although he managed to win the Copa del Rey.
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Johan Cruyff ‘El Flaco’
The 91/92 season would be remembered for the European Cup final at Wembley, in which the team led by Cruyff, remembered since then by the nickname Dream Team, beat Sampdoria in the 111th minute of extra time, thanks to a direct free executed by Koeman. It was Barça’s first victory in a European Cup final and Cruyff’s team would go down in history for it
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Johan Cruyff ‘El Flaco’
Cruyff poses with Barcelona’s “Dream Team”.
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GUSTAU NACARINO
REUTERS
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Johan Cruyff ‘El Flaco’
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Fernando Zueras
Diario AS
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Johan Cruyff ‘El Flaco’
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Fernando Zueras
Diario AS
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Johan Cruyff ‘El Flaco’
Chatting with Pep Guardiola.
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Fernando Zueras
Diario AS
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Johan Cruyff ‘El Flaco’
Johan Cruyff with the Laureus trophy.
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GUSTAU NACARINO
REUTERS
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Johan Cruyff ‘El Flaco’
Johan Cruyff was the Honorary President of Barcelona.
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ALBERT GEA
REUTERS
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Johan Cruyff ‘El Flaco’
Johan Cruyff with Joan Laporta.
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SUSAN VERA
REUTERS
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Johan Cruyff ‘El Flaco’
Johan Cruyff leaves his mark.
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STRINGER
REUTERS
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Johan Cruyff ‘El Flaco’
Johan Cruyff with a group of girls.
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FERNANDO ZUERAS
DIARY AS
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Johan Cruyff ‘El Flaco’
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OLAF KRAAK
AFP
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