RIP Johan Cruyff, arguably the most influential figure in the history of football

25 April 1947 – 24 March 2016

Johan Cruyff (1947 - 2016) influenced the beautiful game like no other person. His legacy stands above all other greats of the world of football.

He changed the game as an icon, as a player, as a master tactician, as a manager and continued to influence the game as a statesman. 

His style of play was similar to the great Messi, but in an era when defenders used to break players' legs & get away with it.

Unlike the likes of Platini & Beckonbauer, he refused to get involved in FIFA politics & risk tarnishing his name.

Unlike Messi & Ronaldo, the lack of a World Cup in his resume was accompanied by leading a team that mesmerised the fans & revolutionised the game in the 1974 World Cup 
(unlike e.g. Ronaldo & Portugal the losing finalists in 2004 Euros or Messi & Argentina the losing finalists in WC 2014, both of which were at best above average). 

He therefore may not have won the World Cup, but he won the world over.

As an icon, he was the first player to wear a tailor made double stripe Adidas shirt during WC 1974 (vs the famous Adidas triple stripes). 

He was the first player in the world to transfer for $2m (Ajax to Barcelona).
He was the first player who wore a no outside 1-11 (famous 14) in the World Cup.

He named his third child "Jordi" after the patron saint of Catalonia, This was seen as a provocative gesture towards the then Spanish dictator General Franco, who had made all symbols of Catalan nationalism illegal.

His famous quotes make him football's true philosopher: Here are some of his best known quotes:

On himself:

• "In a way I'm probably immortal"
• "If I wanted you to understand it all, I would have explained it better"
• "Actually I never make a mistake, because it takes a huge effort for me to make a mistake."
• "I don't believe in God. In Spain all 22 players cross themselves, if it works the game is always going to be a tie."

On football and his philosophy

• "Playing football is very simple, but playing simple football is the hardest thing there is."
• "Italians can't win the game against you, but you can lose the game against the Italians."
• "Quality without results is pointless. Results without quality is boring."
• "It's better to go down with your own vision than with someone else's."
• "In my teams, the goalie is the first attacker, and the striker the first defender."
• "There is only one ball, so you need to have it."