Dutch and Barcelona Legend Johan Cruyff dies of cancer at 68

Johan Cruyff as a coach and as a player for Barcelona

Johan Cruyff, the legendary Dutch soccer striker and coach, has died of lung cancer aged 68.He died in Barcelona, surrounded by family.

As a player, Cruyff was the embodiment of Dutch "total football", a fluid style of play focused on ball possession and rapid passing, and involving all members of the team in both attack and defence.

Watch video of Cruyff dribbling skills below

He emerged as one of the world's greats in the early 1970s when he helped Ajax Amsterdam win three European Cups in a row from 1971-73, and he was named European Footballer of the Year in 1971, 1973 and 1974.

Watch video of Cruyff below

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Johan Cruyff during his playing days in Barcelona

Cruyff joined Barcelona for a then-world record transfer fee of $2 million, and it was the Catalan club that later defined his coaching career as he led them to their first La Liga title in nearly 15 years in 1974.

He was also a key player in the great Netherlands team that reached the 1974 World Cup final, when a global audience saw him perform the now-famous "Cruyff turn", in which the player tries to deceive a defender by hooking the ball behind their own leg before swerving away in the direction of the ball.

Cruyff had been a heavy smoker, and had heart surgery in 1991. His death comes less than six months after he announced that he had been diagnosed with lung cancer. His son Jordi played for Valletta FC and was also assistant coach.

Johan Cruyff was a well known smoker, and his former team mates says he smokes during half time.

Johan Cruyff as manager of Barcelona

Johan Cruyff in Dutch colours

Johan Cruyff as manager of Barcelona

Johan Cruyff in 1968

Johan Cruyff as manager of Ajax in 1987

La Masia, Barcelona's youth academy, was the brainchild of Cruyff. In 1979 Cruyff wanted to establish a copy of the Ajax Academy in Barcelona. His proposal was accepted by president Josep Núñez.