Johan Cruyff, who helped make Barcelona what it is today, dies at 68

                             

The world of soccer lost a big one on Thursday. Dutch legend Johan Cruyff, a figure who changed and influenced the game in many ways, passed away at the age of 68.

Cruyff, from Amsterdam, played for big clubs such as Ajax and Barcelona, while also playing in the United States in the former NASL with the Los Angeles Aztecs, the Washington Diplomats and even some exhibition games with the New York Cosmos. He won the Ballon d'Or three times and is widely considered to be the best European soccer player that ever lived.

"On March 24 2016 Johan Cruyff (68) died peacefully in Barcelona, surrounded by his family after a hard fought battle with cancer. It's with great sadness that we ask you to respect the family's privacy during their time of grief."
To know just how good Cruyff was, consider these words spoken by Cesar Luis Menotti, the former Argentina and Barcelona coach.

"There have been four kings of football -- [Alfredo] Di Stefano, Pele, Cruyff and [Diego] Maradona -- and the fifrth has not yet appeared," he said. "We are awaiting the fifth, and it is sure to be [Lionel] Messi, but so far he is not among the kings."





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