The legendary Dutchman has been regarded as one of the greatest players in the sport and was well-known for his “Total Football” philosophy which revolutionized the sport in the early 1970s. Johan Cruyff was also known for his unique coaching style and was a very demanding coach.
Cruyff was the recipient of the Ballon d’Or Award thrice in 1971. 1973 and 1974. He helped Ajax win eight Eredivisie titles and three European Cups cementing his place as one of the club’s pioneers. He was also voted as the European Player of the Century in 1999.
Johan Cruyff Bio
- Full Name: Hendrik Johannes Cruijff
- Date of Birth: April 25, 1947
- Place of Birth: Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Professional Debut: 1964
- Teams: Ajax, Barcelona, Feyenoord, Levante, Los Angeles Aztecs, Washington Diplomats
- Position: Forward
Johan Cruyff Career and Stats
Ajax
Johan Cryuff started his footballing career when he joined Ajax’s youth academy at the age of 10 in 1957 and made his first-team debut at the age of 17 in 1964. During his first spell with the Dutch giants from 1964-73, Cryuff helped the club secure six Eredivisie titles and three consecutive European Championships in 1971, 1972, and 1973. At Ajax, no one has ever managed to achieve the level of Johan Cruyff, who changed the face of the game forever. He was known for his technical skills, vision, and versatility and became synonymous with Ajax’s style of play and Dutch football in general.
He won the Ballon d’Or in 1971 and registered 190 goals in 240 appearances during his first stint with Ajax. After enjoying spells at Barcelona and the NASL, Cryuff made a brief return to Ajax in 1981 where he managed to secure Eredivisie titles in two years while scoring 36 goals in 73 appearances from 1981-83. His time at the club was transformative which also affected Ajax’s youth development policy. Cryuff’s time with the Dutch giants is regarded as one of the most celebrated periods in football history.
Barcelona
Cryuff was sold to Barcelona for a world record fee of $2 million in 1973 and he made his debut in a game against Granada. He helped the club win their first La Liga title in 14 years and was once again named European Football of the Year in 1974. He went on to make 227 appearances for the Catalan giants and scored 85 goals in the process. Cryuffs time at Barcelona was relatively short at five years due to financial disagreements with the club’s management and left Camp Nou in 1978.
Los Angeles Aztecs
The Dutch legend signed a deal with NASL side Los Angeles Aztecs in May 1979 and would go on to win NASL Player of the Year.
Washington Diplomats
Cryuff played for the Washington Diplomats in 1980 near the end of his illustrious career where he scored 10 goals in 27 games in his first season for the NASL side. After one season, he moved to Spain to play for Levante for one season before returning to Washington for his second spell in 1981. Unfortunately, the Diplomats dissolved after the 1981 season due to financial difficulties and marked the end of Cruyff’s time in the United States.
Levante
Cryuff’s move shocked the world when he transferred to Levante who brought the Dutch legend in hopes of helping them secure promotion to the first division. But his career was short-lived due to injuries and disagreement with the club’s management and he scored only two goals in 10 ten appearances before moving to Washington Diplomats for his second spell in the NASL.
Feyenoord
After his short second spell at Ajax in the 1982-83 season, Cryuff was not offered a new contract despite winning the league and cup double with the team. With a point to prove, Cryuff joined Ajax’s bitter rivals Feyenoord and helped the club win their first Eredivisie title for the first time in a decade. Due to his achievements as a 36-year-old, Cryuff was named Dutch Footballer of the Year for the fifth time before hanging his boots on 13 May 1984.
International Career
Johan Cruyff was an instrumental player for the Dutch national side and the team never lost a match in which he scored, such was his influence on the pitch. He made his debut for Oranje on 7 September 1966 in a UEFA Euro qualifier against Hungary. Cryuff scored 33 goals in 48 appearances for the Oranje and captained the 1974 World Cup team. At the height of his international career, Cryuff was named Player of the Tournament in the 1974 World Cup following the Netherlands’ loss to West Germany in the finals. He shocked the football world when he announced his retirement from international football in October 1977.
| Club/Country | Apps | Goals |
| Ajax | 375 | 273 |
| Barcelona | 227 | 85 |
| Los Angeles Aztecs | 26 | 15 |
| Washington Diplomats | 31 | 12 |
| Levante | 10 | 2 |
| Feyenoord | 44 | 13 |
| Netherlands national team | 48 | 33 |
Johan Cruyff’s Family
Johan Cruyff was born into a working-class family and was an enthusiastic footballer from a very young age. He got married to his wife Danny Coster on December 2, 1968, and the couple has three children. Chantal and Susila are the daughters whereas their son Jordi Cryuff went on to become a professional footballer.
The Dutch legend died on March 24, 2016, after a long battle with lung cancer. He was a heavy smoker until he started having heart problems in the 1990s.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Why did Johan Cruyff retire?
A. Johan Cruyff decided to retire in October 1977 from international football due to a kidnap attempt a year before the 1978 World Cup.
Q. How many World Cups did Cruyff play in?
A. Johan Cryuff played only in the 1974 World Cup.
Also Read: Top 10 greatest moments in FIFA World Cup history