Dutch great Johan Cruyff has passed after battling lung cancer. The three time Ballon D’Or winner had been very enthusiastic about beating the disease after undergoing treatment last month. However, it was announced on Thursday that he had lost his battle.  

The former Barcelona, Ajax and Netherlands legend enjoyed a very successful playing career which saw him revolutionize the sport. ‘Total Football’ and ‘The Cruyff turn’ are just a few of the legacies he leaves behind. He had an equally good, if not better coaching career, managing Ajax and, more memorably, managing Barcelona where he won four league titles and the first ever European Cup for the Catalonia club. He also put emphasis on youth development at Barcelona as well as introducing a playing style that would be taught throughout all levels at the club.

The Dutch FA released a statement via Twitter stating that “It is with great sadness that we’ve learnt of the death of Johan Cruyff. Words cannot express the loss we feel. #14”

Johan Cruyff was one of the best players to ever play the game of football and he’ll surely be missed.