DescriptionAvailable in:
Hendrik Johannes Cruijff OON (internationally spelled Cruyff; 25 April 1947 – 24 March 2016) was a Dutch professional football player and coach. As a player, he won the Ballon d'Or three times, in 1971, 1973, and 1974. Cruyff was an exponent of the football philosophy known as Total Football explored by Rinus Michels, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in football history. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Dutch football rose from obscurity to become a powerhouse in the sport. Cruyff led the Netherlands to the final of the 1974 FIFA World Cup and received the Golden Ball as player of the tournament. At the 1974 finals, he executed a feint that subsequently was named after him, the "Cruyff Turn", a move widely replicated in the modern game. Wearing the number 14 jersey, he set a trend for wearing shirt numbers outside the usual starting line-up numbers of one to eleven. After finishing third in UEFA Euro 1976, he refused to take part of 1978 World Cup squad due to Argentinian dictator Jorge Videla.
At club level, Cruyff started his career at Ajax, where he won eight Eredivisie titles, three European Cups and one Intercontinental Cup. In 1973, he moved to Barcelona for a world record transfer fee, winning La Liga in his first season and was named European Footballer of the Year. After retiring from playing in 1984, Cruyff became highly successful as manager of Ajax and later Barcelona; he remained an influential advisor to both clubs. His son Jordi also played football professionally.
In 1999, Cruyff was voted European Player of the Century in an election held by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics, and came second behind Pelé in their World Player of the Century poll. He came third in a vote organised by the French magazine France Football consulting their former Ballon d'Or winners to elect their Football Player of the Century. He was chosen on the World Team of the 20th Century in 1998, the FIFA World Cup Dream Team in 2002, and in 2004 was named in the FIFA 100 list of the world's greatest living players.
Considered to be one of the most influential figures in football history, Cruyff's style of play and his football philosophy has influenced managers and players, including the likes of Arrigo Sacchi, Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsène Wenger, Quique Setién, Carlo Ancelotti, Lucien Favre, Luis Enrique, Roberto Martínez, Pep Guardiola, Frank Rijkaard, Michael Laudrup, Eric Cantona, Peter Bosz, Mauricio Pochettino, Judan Ali and Xavi. Ajax and Barcelona are among the clubs that have developed youth academies based on Cruyff's coaching methods. His coaching philosophy helped lay the foundations for the revival of Ajax's international successes in the 1990s. Spanish football's successes at both club and international level during the years 2008 to 2012 have been cited by many as evidence of Cruyff's impact on contemporary football.
Career Honours Spanish Supercopa de Espana 1994 Barcelona | Spanish La Liga 1993-1994 Barcelona | Spanish La Liga 1992-1993 Barcelona | UEFA Super Cup 1992 Barcelona | Spanish Supercopa de Espana 1992 Barcelona | Spanish La Liga 1991-1992 Barcelona | UEFA Champions League 1991-1992 Barcelona | Spanish Supercopa de Espana 1991 Barcelona |
Spanish La Liga 1990-1991 Barcelona | Spanish Copa del Rey 1989-1990 Barcelona | Dutch KNVB Cup 1986-1987 Ajax | Dutch KNVB Cup 1985-1986 Ajax |
Dutch KNVB Cup 1983-1984 Ajax | Dutch Eredivisie 1983-1984 Ajax | Dutch Eredivisie 1982-1983 Ajax | Dutch KNVB Cup 1982-1983 Ajax |
Dutch Eredivisie 1981-1982 Ajax | Spanish Copa del Rey 1977-1978 Barcelona | FIFA Ballon d Or 1974 Netherlands | Spanish La Liga 1973-1974 Netherlands |
FIFA Ballon d Or 1973 Netherlands | Dutch Eredivisie 1972-1973 Ajax | UEFA Champions League 1972-1973 Netherlands | FIFA Club World Cup 1972 Netherlands |
Dutch Eredivisie 1971-1972 Ajax | Dutch KNVB Cup 1971-1972 Netherlands | UEFA Champions League 1971-1972 Netherlands | FIFA Ballon d Or 1971 Netherlands |
UEFA Champions League 1970-1971 Netherlands | Dutch KNVB Cup 1970-1971 Netherlands | Dutch Eredivisie 1969-1970 Ajax | Dutch KNVB Cup 1969-1970 Netherlands |
Dutch Eredivisie 1967-1968 Ajax | Dutch Eredivisie 1966-1967 Ajax | Dutch KNVB Cup 1966-1967 Netherlands | Dutch Eredivisie 1965-1966 Ajax |
|
Career MilestonesFormer Youth Teams
1957-1964 |
Former Senior Teams
1964-1973 |
1966-1977 |
1973-1978 |
1981 |
1981-1983 |
1983-1984 |
Former Club Staff
1985-1988 Manager |
1988-1996 Manager |
2009-2013 Manager |
Contracts Fanart Banner|
|
| Feyenoord | Appearances | Dutch Eredivisie | 1983-1984 | 33 |
| Feyenoord | Appearances | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1983-1984 | 7 |
| Feyenoord | Appearances | UEFA Cup | 1983-1984 | 4 |
| Feyenoord | Assists | Dutch Eredivisie | 1983-1984 | 3 |
| Feyenoord | Goals | Dutch Eredivisie | 1983-1984 | 11 |
| Feyenoord | Goals | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1983-1984 | 1 |
| Feyenoord | Goals | UEFA Cup | 1983-1984 | 1 |
| Feyenoord | Mins Played | Dutch Eredivisie | 1983-1984 | 2,825 |
| Feyenoord | Mins Played | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1983-1984 | 524 |
| Feyenoord | Mins Played | UEFA Cup | 1983-1984 | 360 |
|
|
| Ajax | Appearances | Dutch Eredivisie | 1982-1983 | 21 |
| Ajax | Appearances | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1982-1983 | 7 |
| Ajax | Appearances | UEFA Champions League | 1982-1983 | 2 |
| Ajax | Assists | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1982-1983 | 2 |
| Ajax | Goals | Dutch Eredivisie | 1982-1983 | 7 |
| Ajax | Goals | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1982-1983 | 2 |
| Ajax | Mins Played | Dutch Eredivisie | 1982-1983 | 1,787 |
| Ajax | Mins Played | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1982-1983 | 601 |
| Ajax | Mins Played | UEFA Champions League | 1982-1983 | 177 |
|
|
| Ajax | Appearances | Dutch Eredivisie | 1981-1982 | 15 |
| Ajax | Appearances | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1981-1982 | 1 |
| Ajax | Assists | Dutch Eredivisie | 1981-1982 | 9 |
| Ajax | Goals | Dutch Eredivisie | 1981-1982 | 7 |
| Ajax | Mins Played | Dutch Eredivisie | 1981-1982 | 1,260 |
| Ajax | Mins Played | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1981-1982 | 90 |
|
|
| Barcelona | Appearances | Spanish La Liga | 1977-1978 | 4 |
| Barcelona | Appearances | UEFA Cup | 1977-1978 | 10 |
| Barcelona | Assists | UEFA Cup | 1977-1978 | 3 |
| Barcelona | Goals | UEFA Cup | 1977-1978 | 5 |
| Barcelona | Mins Played | Spanish La Liga | 1977-1978 | 270 |
| Barcelona | Mins Played | UEFA Cup | 1977-1978 | 952 |
|
|
| Netherlands | Appearances | FIFA World Cup | 1977 | 3 |
| Netherlands | Appearances | International Friendlies | 1977 | 1 |
| Netherlands | Assists | FIFA World Cup | 1977 | 1 |
| Netherlands | Goals | FIFA World Cup | 1977 | 1 |
| Netherlands | Mins Played | FIFA World Cup | 1977 | 251 |
| Netherlands | Mins Played | International Friendlies | 1977 | 90 |
|
|
| Barcelona | Appearances | Spanish La Liga | 1976-1977 | 9 |
| Barcelona | Appearances | UEFA Cup | 1976-1977 | 7 |
| Barcelona | Goals | Spanish La Liga | 1976-1977 | 8 |
| Barcelona | Goals | UEFA Cup | 1976-1977 | 5 |
| Barcelona | Mins Played | Spanish La Liga | 1976-1977 | 765 |
| Barcelona | Mins Played | UEFA Cup | 1976-1977 | 630 |
|
|
| Netherlands | Appearances | FIFA World Cup | 1976 | 1 |
| Netherlands | Appearances | UEFA European Championships | 1976 | 3 |
| Netherlands | Assists | UEFA European Championships | 1976 | 4 |
| Netherlands | Goals | FIFA World Cup | 1976 | 1 |
| Netherlands | Goals | UEFA European Championships | 1976 | 1 |
| Netherlands | Mins Played | FIFA World Cup | 1976 | 90 |
| Netherlands | Mins Played | UEFA European Championships | 1976 | 300 |
|
|
| Barcelona | Appearances | Spanish La Liga | 1975-1976 | 14 |
| Barcelona | Appearances | UEFA Cup | 1975-1976 | 9 |
| Barcelona | Assists | UEFA Cup | 1975-1976 | 1 |
| Barcelona | Goals | Spanish La Liga | 1975-1976 | 3 |
| Barcelona | Goals | UEFA Cup | 1975-1976 | 2 |
| Barcelona | Mins Played | Spanish La Liga | 1975-1976 | 1,260 |
| Barcelona | Mins Played | UEFA Cup | 1975-1976 | 792 |
|
|
| Netherlands | Appearances | UEFA European Championships | 1975 | 2 |
| Netherlands | Mins Played | UEFA European Championships | 1975 | 180 |
|
|
| Barcelona | Appearances | Spanish La Liga | 1974-1975 | 9 |
| Barcelona | Appearances | UEFA Champions League | 1974-1975 | 8 |
| Barcelona | Assists | UEFA Champions League | 1974-1975 | 1 |
| Barcelona | Goals | Spanish La Liga | 1974-1975 | 3 |
| Barcelona | Mins Played | Spanish La Liga | 1974-1975 | 810 |
| Barcelona | Mins Played | UEFA Champions League | 1974-1975 | 720 |
|
|
| Netherlands | Appearances | FIFA World Cup | 1974 | 7 |
| Netherlands | Appearances | International Friendlies | 1974 | 3 |
| Netherlands | Appearances | UEFA European Championships | 1974 | 2 |
| Netherlands | Assists | FIFA World Cup | 1974 | 7 |
| Netherlands | Goals | FIFA World Cup | 1974 | 3 |
| Netherlands | Goals | International Friendlies | 1974 | 1 |
| Netherlands | Goals | UEFA European Championships | 1974 | 4 |
| Netherlands | Mins Played | FIFA World Cup | 1974 | 630 |
| Netherlands | Mins Played | International Friendlies | 1974 | 270 |
| Netherlands | Mins Played | UEFA European Championships | 1974 | 180 |
|
|
| Barcelona | Appearances | Spanish La Liga | 1973-1974 | 6 |
| Barcelona | Goals | Spanish La Liga | 1973-1974 | 4 |
| Barcelona | Mins Played | Spanish La Liga | 1973-1974 | 521 |
|
|
| Netherlands | Appearances | FIFA World Cup | 1973 | 4 |
| Netherlands | Appearances | International Friendlies | 1973 | 2 |
| Netherlands | Goals | FIFA World Cup | 1973 | 5 |
| Netherlands | Goals | International Friendlies | 1973 | 1 |
| Netherlands | Mins Played | FIFA World Cup | 1973 | 360 |
| Netherlands | Mins Played | International Friendlies | 1973 | 146 |
|
|
| Ajax | Appearances | Dutch Eredivisie | 1972-1973 | 25 |
| Ajax | Appearances | FIFA Club World Cup | 1972-1973 | 2 |
| Ajax | Appearances | UEFA Champions League | 1972-1973 | 6 |
| Ajax | Assists | Dutch Eredivisie | 1972-1973 | 10 |
| Ajax | Assists | FIFA Club World Cup | 1972-1973 | 2 |
| Ajax | Assists | UEFA Champions League | 1972-1973 | 1 |
| Ajax | Goals | Dutch Eredivisie | 1972-1973 | 16 |
| Ajax | Goals | FIFA Club World Cup | 1972-1973 | 1 |
| Ajax | Goals | UEFA Champions League | 1972-1973 | 3 |
| Ajax | Mins Played | Dutch Eredivisie | 1972-1973 | 2,063 |
| Ajax | Mins Played | FIFA Club World Cup | 1972-1973 | 116 |
| Ajax | Mins Played | UEFA Champions League | 1972-1973 | 513 |
|
|
| Ajax | Appearances | UEFA Super Cup | 1972 | 2 |
| Netherlands | Appearances | FIFA World Cup | 1972 | 2 |
| Netherlands | Appearances | International Friendlies | 1972 | 3 |
| Ajax | Goals | UEFA Super Cup | 1972 | 2 |
| Netherlands | Goals | FIFA World Cup | 1972 | 2 |
| Netherlands | Goals | International Friendlies | 1972 | 3 |
| Ajax | Mins Played | UEFA Super Cup | 1972 | 180 |
| Netherlands | Mins Played | FIFA World Cup | 1972 | 180 |
| Netherlands | Mins Played | International Friendlies | 1972 | 270 |
|
|
| Ajax | Appearances | Dutch Eredivisie | 1971-1972 | 17 |
| Ajax | Appearances | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1971-1972 | 4 |
| Ajax | Appearances | UEFA Champions League | 1971-1972 | 9 |
| Ajax | Assists | Dutch Eredivisie | 1971-1972 | 13 |
| Ajax | Assists | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1971-1972 | 5 |
| Ajax | Goals | Dutch Eredivisie | 1971-1972 | 12 |
| Ajax | Goals | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1971-1972 | 3 |
| Ajax | Goals | UEFA Champions League | 1971-1972 | 5 |
| Ajax | Mins Played | Dutch Eredivisie | 1971-1972 | 1,530 |
| Ajax | Mins Played | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1971-1972 | 360 |
| Ajax | Mins Played | UEFA Champions League | 1971-1972 | 810 |
|
|
| Netherlands | Appearances | International Friendlies | 1971 | 1 |
| Netherlands | Appearances | UEFA European Championships | 1971 | 3 |
| Netherlands | Assists | UEFA European Championships | 1971 | 7 |
| Netherlands | Goals | International Friendlies | 1971 | 1 |
| Netherlands | Goals | UEFA European Championships | 1971 | 5 |
| Netherlands | Mins Played | International Friendlies | 1971 | 90 |
| Netherlands | Mins Played | UEFA European Championships | 1971 | 270 |
|
|
| Ajax | Appearances | Dutch Eredivisie | 1970-1971 | 25 |
| Ajax | Appearances | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1970-1971 | 6 |
| Ajax | Appearances | UEFA Champions League | 1970-1971 | 6 |
| Ajax | Assists | Dutch Eredivisie | 1970-1971 | 8 |
| Ajax | Assists | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1970-1971 | 3 |
| Ajax | Assists | UEFA Champions League | 1970-1971 | 4 |
| Ajax | Goals | Dutch Eredivisie | 1970-1971 | 21 |
| Ajax | Goals | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1970-1971 | 5 |
| Ajax | Goals | UEFA Champions League | 1970-1971 | 1 |
| Ajax | Mins Played | Dutch Eredivisie | 1970-1971 | 2,056 |
| Ajax | Mins Played | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1970-1971 | 537 |
| Ajax | Mins Played | UEFA Champions League | 1970-1971 | 525 |
|
|
| Netherlands | Appearances | International Friendlies | 1970 | 2 |
| Netherlands | Goals | International Friendlies | 1970 | 2 |
| Netherlands | Mins Played | International Friendlies | 1970 | 180 |
|
|
| Ajax | Appearances | Dutch Eredivisie | 1969-1970 | 33 |
| Ajax | Appearances | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1969-1970 | 5 |
| Ajax | Appearances | UEFA Cup | 1969-1970 | 8 |
| Ajax | Assists | Dutch Eredivisie | 1969-1970 | 23 |
| Ajax | Assists | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1969-1970 | 1 |
| Ajax | Assists | UEFA Cup | 1969-1970 | 10 |
| Ajax | Goals | Dutch Eredivisie | 1969-1970 | 23 |
| Ajax | Goals | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1969-1970 | 6 |
| Ajax | Goals | UEFA Cup | 1969-1970 | 4 |
| Ajax | Mins Played | Dutch Eredivisie | 1969-1970 | 2,878 |
| Ajax | Mins Played | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1969-1970 | 435 |
| Ajax | Mins Played | UEFA Cup | 1969-1970 | 724 |
|
|
| Netherlands | Appearances | FIFA World Cup | 1969 | 2 |
| Netherlands | Appearances | International Friendlies | 1969 | 1 |
| Netherlands | Assists | FIFA World Cup | 1969 | 1 |
| Netherlands | Goals | FIFA World Cup | 1969 | 1 |
| Netherlands | Mins Played | FIFA World Cup | 1969 | 180 |
| Netherlands | Mins Played | International Friendlies | 1969 | 90 |
|
|
| Ajax | Appearances | Dutch Eredivisie | 1968-1969 | 29 |
| Ajax | Appearances | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1968-1969 | 3 |
| Ajax | Appearances | UEFA Champions League | 1968-1969 | 10 |
| Ajax | Assists | Dutch Eredivisie | 1968-1969 | 18 |
| Ajax | Assists | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1968-1969 | 1 |
| Ajax | Assists | UEFA Champions League | 1968-1969 | 4 |
| Ajax | Goals | Dutch Eredivisie | 1968-1969 | 24 |
| Ajax | Goals | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1968-1969 | 3 |
| Ajax | Goals | UEFA Champions League | 1968-1969 | 6 |
| Ajax | Mins Played | Dutch Eredivisie | 1968-1969 | 2,516 |
| Ajax | Mins Played | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1968-1969 | 270 |
| Ajax | Mins Played | UEFA Champions League | 1968-1969 | 862 |
|
|
| Netherlands | Appearances | International Friendlies | 1968 | 1 |
| Netherlands | Mins Played | International Friendlies | 1968 | 90 |
|
|
| Ajax | Appearances | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1967-1968 | 5 |
| Ajax | Appearances | UEFA Champions League | 1967-1968 | 2 |
| Ajax | Goals | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1967-1968 | 6 |
| Ajax | Goals | UEFA Champions League | 1967-1968 | 1 |
| Ajax | Mins Played | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1967-1968 | 450 |
| Ajax | Mins Played | UEFA Champions League | 1967-1968 | 210 |
|
|
| Netherlands | Appearances | International Friendlies | 1967 | 1 |
| Netherlands | Appearances | UEFA European Championships | 1967 | 2 |
| Netherlands | Goals | UEFA European Championships | 1967 | 1 |
| Netherlands | Mins Played | International Friendlies | 1967 | 90 |
| Netherlands | Mins Played | UEFA European Championships | 1967 | 180 |
|
|
| Ajax | Appearances | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1966-1967 | 5 |
| Ajax | Appearances | UEFA Champions League | 1966-1967 | 6 |
| Ajax | Assists | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1966-1967 | 3 |
| Ajax | Goals | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1966-1967 | 5 |
| Ajax | Goals | UEFA Champions League | 1966-1967 | 3 |
| Ajax | Mins Played | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1966-1967 | 510 |
| Ajax | Mins Played | UEFA Champions League | 1966-1967 | 540 |
|
|
| Netherlands | Appearances | International Friendlies | 1966 | 1 |
| Netherlands | Appearances | UEFA European Championships | 1966 | 1 |
| Netherlands | Goals | UEFA European Championships | 1966 | 1 |
| Netherlands | Mins Played | International Friendlies | 1966 | 78 |
| Netherlands | Mins Played | UEFA European Championships | 1966 | 90 |
|
|
| Ajax | Appearances | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1965-1966 | 5 |
| Ajax | Goals | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1965-1966 | 9 |
| Ajax | Mins Played | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1965-1966 | 450 |
|
|
| Ajax | Appearances | Dutch Eredivisie | 1964-1965 | 9 |
| Ajax | Goals | Dutch Eredivisie | 1964-1965 | 1 |
| Ajax | Mins Played | Dutch Eredivisie | 1964-1965 | 810 |
|
Other Links