– I am a former player, former technical director, a former coach, a former manager, former honorary president. It’s quite a nice list of things that show that everything has an end – said in an interview. And these observations had dozens on both the football and of life itself – the Dutch are not even a special term that could be translated as “cruyffizmy.”
In the world of football Dutchman enrolled in letters of gold, but its results can not be presented only by replacing the trophies, the most important moments in the career or create a list of the greatest successes. His achievements go far beyond what can be easily recognized.
With the lung cancer he fought to the end and until recently seemed to be well on the way to to overcome the disease.
– I can say that the results are positive thanks to the excellent work of doctors, the involvement of many people and my positive attitude. At this point, I have a feeling that winning 2: 0 after the first half, but the match is not over yet. But I am convinced that I will win – said in February.
On the other hand, in this case, expectations were not confirmed. On Thursday, the family announced that he died in his beloved Barcelona, surrounded by loved ones.
Vision and techniques can not detect your computer
He was born April 25, 1947 in the suburbs of Amsterdam. Just 500 meters from the stadium De Meer, where then played Ajax. Cruyff’s mother was a cleaning lady at the club, and when her son was 12 years old, managed to persuade the authorities of the club to ensure that come the legend went to the club’s academy.
Even as a 17-year-old has signed a professional contract and founded T-shirt with the number 14, which became one of its distinguishing marks. The Dutch club appreciated the values that formed him as a player. At the same time the moment when began his career, was a time when its potential was used to the maximum – a few decades later, in the current circumstances, it is not at all clear that even gotten the chance to do, to exist in a serious football.
– It’s frightening that talent is rejected on the basis of computer statistics. Based on the criteria that prevail today, I have become a deleted by Ajax. The age of 15 could not send the ball to 15 meters of my left leg, and right at 20. My strengths are vision and technology, which can not be detected computer – criticized the current system of talent search, closed to players with his characteristics.
Low, slim, without physical conditions, which would allow him to boiskową against more powerful rivals. Was it a hindrance? In any event, in this case, the genius stuck in my head. The incredible vision of the game, composure, aware of what to do with the ball before it got to his feet – Cruyff ahead of his time in both his attitude on the pitch, and the approach to football. The defenders could not predict what will be the next step filigree Dutchman. Always seemed to be a few steps ahead of them.
As a 20-year-old scored six goals in one match for Ajax. Unlucky goalkeeper Gerrit Vooys never forget that fateful, November day in 1967.
– If it were anyone else, it would be terrible, but when it comes Cruyff do count them but themselves for special although negative, honor – he admitted many years later.
Source: YouTube / Gonzalo Zúñiga
It gave itself felt also his approach to the ball, which was both unique and thrilling, and at the same diametrically wybijało over clear expression. He could in simple words capture the essence of things, the meaning of football, who wanted to pass on.
– Technology is not the ability to juggle a thousand. Anyone can learn this. The technique is the application of the first ball of the ideal speed perfectly to the feet of the team. Someone who conquers the ball during the match and gives you time rival, to come back to defend, is a player who loves people. As for me, I could go to work for the circus – he talked about how he treats boiskowe fireworks, it certainly appreciated by the vast majority of the audience.
“Controlled Chaos”
There is no doubt that the next Pele, Franz Beckenbauer and Diego Armando Maradona, Johan Cruyff was the greatest player in the history of football.
Ajax Amsterdam as a player, he spent a decade (1963-1973), during which was one of the best teams in the history of the discipline – this is indeed not the first in which he played a ball that rose to a level which previously seemed unattainable.
Three times (1971-1973) won the European Cup with Ajax, and in 1972, the Intercontinental Cup. The culmination of these successes was the kind of sensational and revolutionary representation of the Netherlands, which Rinus Michels, another character who deservedly became a legend. Michels led the “Oranje” to second place at the world championships in 1974. The key in this case, however, was not the result, and the “Total Football”. This is what has been dubbed the style and the philosophy he presented the team.
“controlled chaos” – a term by the main contractor, which in this case fits like a glove. The division into formations, features, players and their positions are contractual – everyone had a job to both defend and attack. After years it is estimated that more than a tactical style, it was a state of mind. Do those words fit the sport that its size was also awarded by the fact that it can be grown virtually everywhere? When it comes to building the legend, they fit almost perfectly.
Cruyff was someone who could tame the chaos, direct. The ability to read the game refined to perfection, but there was something more – if someone can write that could create a game, it is about the footballer.
In 1973, Cruyff went to Barcelona, whose color was represented until 1977. In the poll, “France Football” the highest place was reserved for him in the years 1971, 1973, 1974. “Pride of Catalonia” had in its history many outstanding players, those who rubbed shoulders with a pitch genius.
The Dutch, however, is the one that permanently imprinted his mark on the club, still visible today. It can be said without any doubt that without it the modern history of the team from the capital of Catalonia would look completely different.
– Playing football is very simple, but playing simple football is the hardest thing possible – described it, for what you seek in every action, in every team, squad, which looked out onto the pitch. Barcelona has developed this style to perfection. And it did not stop at the site.
“Without him there would be no place in it for Pepa Guardiola Leo Messi Xavi or Andres Iniesta – considered competitors too slow, too small, Genius of Amsterdam created the conditions that allowed this amazing players to be internationally recognized and be the central figures of Barcelona. Without it, the story would simply not occurred “- wrote the British journalist Graham Hunter.
Football as ballet
The British, who have set the foundations for the development of the discipline, for decades the most important in this sport recognized willpower, commitment, struggle. Germany were supporters of the iron physical preparation, tactics and discipline. Brazilians put up for pageantry, dribbling and the beautiful game. Cruyff it crucial found something else, seemingly not quite a match.
In 1980, the television program tried to explain the essence of things, comparing ball to the ballet. One of the guests of the program told him the key word – “choreography”. The ball was supposed to be a dance in which it was about creating the space. When one player passes the ball to another third have already run, to allow further game.
In Barcelona was the hero in the first season of their game when it lifted the club from his knees. Since the first performance took a series of 26 matches without defeat, at the end of the season, “Pride of Catalonia” picked up the title for the first time in 14 years. In three seasons managed to fall in love with the fans themselves.
After five years, 31-year-old Cruyff, after a major financial loss (he had been cheated by his partner), decided to finish with football. Fortunately he did not stay in that provision. Tempted by big money moved to the US, where he played in clubs in Los Angeles Aztecs, then the Washington Diplomats.
He returned to the Netherlands, classifying the way short episodes in the US and Spanish Levante. Football career ended in Feyenoord Rotterdam, then took a job as technical director at Ajax, would shortly thereafter become his trainer. Of course, the successes, among which was also to show the world players like Marco van Basten and Dennis Bergkamp.
In 1988. Was again in his second after Ajax ‘love’, Barcelona, in the role of coach. It began a success story – in the first year of the Spanish championship, and then won three more times. Two triumphs in European cup competitions – Cup Winners’ Cup in 1989 and the European Cup in 1992.
In Spain, not deviated from their chosen path, which was to be faithful forever – football was going to be a spectacle.
– In my team goalkeeper he is the first attacker, and the attacker first defender. Quality without results is meaningless. Results without quality are boring – it is of the opinion that well reflect his style. The time that he spent at the Camp Nou was, however, something far beyond the running of the team.
He changed the whole philosophy of training young people, and the academy, La Masia, has not abandoned his chosen path until today.
– Statistics show that during the game the player has the ball an average of about 3 minutes. The most important thing, therefore, is what it does for the remaining 87 minutes when there is no soccer balls at his feet. It depends on whether it is a good player or not – he explained.
Among other things, he teaches in the capital of the Catalan youth, and it pays off all the time. A prime example may be seeking the youth teams of Pep Guardiola, who was a central figure in the puzzle coach. Skinny kid who is not impressed with the speed, but he could control the game and immediately assimilated philosophy that guided Cruyffowi.
– I was born and raised in Barcelona. The man who had the greatest impact on me was Johan Cruyff. It was the most influential figure throughout football. In Barcelona he built the cathedral, and our job is taking care of it and ensure its survival – said former coach of Barcelona, now coach Bayerny Munich.
Barcelona left sacked by President Jose Luis Nunez. Despite the unpleasant parting, and even a libel action brought boss was called by the Spanish press “Savior.”
“In a way, I’m probably immortal”
Cruyff has never been an athlete and as a professional smoked compulsively. Forgiven him because of phenomenal skills. After retiring or not seen him without a cigarette on the bench.
After the operation in 1991. (By-lanes) joined the anti-smoking campaign. In the newspapers and on posters he warned: “Football has given me everything, but I could smoke it all away.” Unfortunately, in the end that’s what happened.
Source: Foto Olimpik / x-news
Finally, Cruyff was never a world champion, it is difficult to recognize it as a “monumental” idol. Its value, however, is known throughout the world.
The Royal Dutch Football Association awarded him in 1989., The title of Player of the Century Europe. They called him a player of the Year 2000 because so much ahead of his time. In the 50 anniversary of the birth, the stadium Ajax, where he began his career, unveiled his portrait, and the Minister of Culture Aad Nuis published an ode in his honor in one of the periodicals football.
Cruyff was a man well beyond the stereotype that often accompanies players or athletes – someone you respect for the achievements on the pitch, but who besides him there is not too much to say. For boiskowych achievements added a lot more saving in history forever.
– In a way, I’m probably immortal – he admitted. And this just can not agree.
Paul Słójkowski, PolskieRadio.pl
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