Soccer Legends - Cruyff's Playing Years
The shining star of Dutch soccer, Johan Cruyff, is known for his remarkable playing days. He was born in Ajax, which was the starting point of his career and the cradle of his soccer art. As a center forward, Cruyff was known for his fearless tackles and superb dribbling skills, and was known as "The Flying Man" for his speed. (
Cruyff is not only the symbol of Dutch soccer, but also the representative of all-round soccer. He won the European Footballer of the Year three times (1971, 1973, 1974), and during his time at Ajax, he led the team to win the UEFA Champions League three times. 1972, in the final of the Ajax versus Inter Milan, Cruyff's two goals helped the team win 2-0, demonstrating the charm of Dutch all-round soccer. (
In 1974, Dutch national team coach Michels brought Cruyff to the World Cup. Despite losing 1:2 to hosts Federal Republic of Germany in the final, the Dutch team's performance was still impressive. In the same year, Cruyff moved to Barcelona, helping the team win the La Liga title, where he continued to develop Ajax's soccer talents, such as Ronald Koeman and Kluivert. (
Cruyff made an early exit from the Dutch national team in 1978 and officially retired in 1984. He scored 33 goals in 48 matches for the national team, leaving behind an immortal soccer legend. (
This is a fascinating chapter on Cruyff's playing days. For more stats and stories about him, stay tuned to our website.
