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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 |
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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 
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| Feyenoord | Appearances | UEFA Cup | 1983-1984 | 4 |
| Feyenoord | Appearances | Dutch Eredivisie | 1983-1984 | 33 |
| Feyenoord | Appearances | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1983-1984 | 7 |
| Feyenoord | Assists | Dutch Eredivisie | 1983-1984 | 3 |
| Feyenoord | Goals | Dutch Eredivisie | 1983-1984 | 11 |
| Feyenoord | Goals | UEFA Cup | 1983-1984 | 1 |
| Feyenoord | Goals | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1983-1984 | 1 |
| Feyenoord | Mins Played | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1983-1984 | 524 |
| Feyenoord | Mins Played | UEFA Cup | 1983-1984 | 360 |
| Feyenoord | Mins Played | Dutch Eredivisie | 1983-1984 | 2,825 |
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| 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 |
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| Ajax | Appearances | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1981-1982 | 1 |
| Ajax | Appearances | Dutch Eredivisie | 1981-1982 | 15 |
| Ajax | Assists | Dutch Eredivisie | 1981-1982 | 9 |
| Ajax | Goals | Dutch Eredivisie | 1981-1982 | 7 |
| Ajax | Mins Played | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1981-1982 | 90 |
| Ajax | Mins Played | Dutch Eredivisie | 1981-1982 | 1,260 |
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| Barcelona | Appearances | UEFA Cup | 1977-1978 | 10 |
| Barcelona | Appearances | Spanish La Liga | 1977-1978 | 4 |
| 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 |
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| Netherlands | Appearances | International Friendlies | 1977 | 1 |
| Netherlands | Appearances | FIFA World Cup | 1977 | 3 |
| Netherlands | Assists | FIFA World Cup | 1977 | 1 |
| Netherlands | Goals | FIFA World Cup | 1977 | 1 |
| Netherlands | Mins Played | International Friendlies | 1977 | 90 |
| Netherlands | Mins Played | FIFA World Cup | 1977 | 251 |
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| 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 |
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| Netherlands | Appearances | UEFA European Championships | 1976 | 3 |
| Netherlands | Appearances | FIFA World Cup | 1976 | 1 |
| Netherlands | Assists | UEFA European Championships | 1976 | 4 |
| Netherlands | Goals | UEFA European Championships | 1976 | 1 |
| Netherlands | Goals | FIFA World Cup | 1976 | 1 |
| Netherlands | Mins Played | UEFA European Championships | 1976 | 300 |
| Netherlands | Mins Played | FIFA World Cup | 1976 | 90 |
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| Barcelona | Appearances | UEFA Cup | 1975-1976 | 9 |
| Barcelona | Appearances | Spanish La Liga | 1975-1976 | 14 |
| Barcelona | Assists | UEFA Cup | 1975-1976 | 1 |
| Barcelona | Goals | UEFA Cup | 1975-1976 | 2 |
| Barcelona | Goals | Spanish La Liga | 1975-1976 | 3 |
| Barcelona | Mins Played | UEFA Cup | 1975-1976 | 792 |
| Barcelona | Mins Played | Spanish La Liga | 1975-1976 | 1,260 |
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| Netherlands | Appearances | UEFA European Championships | 1975 | 2 |
| Netherlands | Mins Played | UEFA European Championships | 1975 | 180 |
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| Barcelona | Appearances | UEFA Champions League | 1974-1975 | 8 |
| Barcelona | Appearances | Spanish La Liga | 1974-1975 | 9 |
| Barcelona | Assists | UEFA Champions League | 1974-1975 | 1 |
| Barcelona | Goals | Spanish La Liga | 1974-1975 | 3 |
| Barcelona | Mins Played | UEFA Champions League | 1974-1975 | 720 |
| Barcelona | Mins Played | Spanish La Liga | 1974-1975 | 810 |
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| Netherlands | Appearances | International Friendlies | 1974 | 3 |
| Netherlands | Appearances | FIFA World Cup | 1974 | 7 |
| Netherlands | Appearances | UEFA European Championships | 1974 | 2 |
| Netherlands | Assists | FIFA World Cup | 1974 | 7 |
| Netherlands | Goals | FIFA World Cup | 1974 | 3 |
| Netherlands | Goals | UEFA European Championships | 1974 | 4 |
| Netherlands | Goals | International Friendlies | 1974 | 1 |
| Netherlands | Mins Played | FIFA World Cup | 1974 | 630 |
| Netherlands | Mins Played | International Friendlies | 1974 | 270 |
| Netherlands | Mins Played | UEFA European Championships | 1974 | 180 |
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| 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 |
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| Netherlands | Appearances | International Friendlies | 1973 | 2 |
| Netherlands | Appearances | FIFA World Cup | 1973 | 4 |
| Netherlands | Goals | International Friendlies | 1973 | 1 |
| Netherlands | Goals | FIFA World Cup | 1973 | 5 |
| Netherlands | Mins Played | International Friendlies | 1973 | 146 |
| Netherlands | Mins Played | FIFA World Cup | 1973 | 360 |
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| Ajax | Appearances | FIFA Club World Cup | 1972-1973 | 2 |
| Ajax | Appearances | Dutch Eredivisie | 1972-1973 | 25 |
| Ajax | Appearances | UEFA Champions League | 1972-1973 | 6 |
| Ajax | Assists | FIFA Club World Cup | 1972-1973 | 2 |
| Ajax | Assists | Dutch Eredivisie | 1972-1973 | 10 |
| Ajax | Assists | UEFA Champions League | 1972-1973 | 1 |
| Ajax | Goals | FIFA Club World Cup | 1972-1973 | 1 |
| Ajax | Goals | Dutch Eredivisie | 1972-1973 | 16 |
| Ajax | Goals | UEFA Champions League | 1972-1973 | 3 |
| Ajax | Mins Played | FIFA Club World Cup | 1972-1973 | 116 |
| Ajax | Mins Played | Dutch Eredivisie | 1972-1973 | 2,063 |
| Ajax | Mins Played | UEFA Champions League | 1972-1973 | 513 |
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| Netherlands | Appearances | International Friendlies | 1972 | 3 |
| Netherlands | Appearances | FIFA World Cup | 1972 | 2 |
| Ajax | Appearances | UEFA Super Cup | 1972 | 2 |
| Netherlands | Goals | International Friendlies | 1972 | 3 |
| Netherlands | Goals | FIFA World Cup | 1972 | 2 |
| Ajax | Goals | UEFA Super Cup | 1972 | 2 |
| Netherlands | Mins Played | International Friendlies | 1972 | 270 |
| Netherlands | Mins Played | FIFA World Cup | 1972 | 180 |
| Ajax | Mins Played | UEFA Super Cup | 1972 | 180 |
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| Ajax | Appearances | UEFA Champions League | 1971-1972 | 9 |
| Ajax | Appearances | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1971-1972 | 4 |
| Ajax | Appearances | Dutch Eredivisie | 1971-1972 | 17 |
| Ajax | Assists | Dutch Eredivisie | 1971-1972 | 13 |
| Ajax | Assists | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1971-1972 | 5 |
| Ajax | Goals | UEFA Champions League | 1971-1972 | 5 |
| Ajax | Goals | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1971-1972 | 3 |
| Ajax | Goals | Dutch Eredivisie | 1971-1972 | 12 |
| Ajax | Mins Played | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1971-1972 | 360 |
| Ajax | Mins Played | UEFA Champions League | 1971-1972 | 810 |
| Ajax | Mins Played | Dutch Eredivisie | 1971-1972 | 1,530 |
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| 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 | UEFA European Championships | 1971 | 270 |
| Netherlands | Mins Played | International Friendlies | 1971 | 90 |
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| Ajax | Appearances | UEFA Champions League | 1970-1971 | 6 |
| Ajax | Appearances | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1970-1971 | 6 |
| Ajax | Appearances | Dutch Eredivisie | 1970-1971 | 25 |
| Ajax | Assists | UEFA Champions League | 1970-1971 | 4 |
| Ajax | Assists | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1970-1971 | 3 |
| Ajax | Assists | Dutch Eredivisie | 1970-1971 | 8 |
| Ajax | Goals | UEFA Champions League | 1970-1971 | 1 |
| Ajax | Goals | Dutch Eredivisie | 1970-1971 | 21 |
| Ajax | Goals | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1970-1971 | 5 |
| Ajax | Mins Played | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1970-1971 | 537 |
| Ajax | Mins Played | UEFA Champions League | 1970-1971 | 525 |
| Ajax | Mins Played | Dutch Eredivisie | 1970-1971 | 2,056 |
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| Netherlands | Appearances | International Friendlies | 1970 | 2 |
| Netherlands | Goals | International Friendlies | 1970 | 2 |
| Netherlands | Mins Played | International Friendlies | 1970 | 180 |
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| Ajax | Appearances | Dutch Eredivisie | 1969-1970 | 33 |
| Ajax | Appearances | UEFA Cup | 1969-1970 | 8 |
| Ajax | Appearances | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1969-1970 | 5 |
| Ajax | Assists | UEFA Cup | 1969-1970 | 10 |
| Ajax | Assists | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1969-1970 | 1 |
| Ajax | Assists | Dutch Eredivisie | 1969-1970 | 23 |
| Ajax | Goals | UEFA Cup | 1969-1970 | 4 |
| Ajax | Goals | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1969-1970 | 6 |
| Ajax | Goals | Dutch Eredivisie | 1969-1970 | 23 |
| Ajax | Mins Played | UEFA Cup | 1969-1970 | 724 |
| Ajax | Mins Played | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1969-1970 | 435 |
| Ajax | Mins Played | Dutch Eredivisie | 1969-1970 | 2,878 |
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| 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 | International Friendlies | 1969 | 90 |
| Netherlands | Mins Played | FIFA World Cup | 1969 | 180 |
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| Ajax | Appearances | UEFA Champions League | 1968-1969 | 10 |
| Ajax | Appearances | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1968-1969 | 3 |
| Ajax | Appearances | Dutch Eredivisie | 1968-1969 | 29 |
| Ajax | Assists | UEFA Champions League | 1968-1969 | 4 |
| Ajax | Assists | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1968-1969 | 1 |
| Ajax | Assists | Dutch Eredivisie | 1968-1969 | 18 |
| Ajax | Goals | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1968-1969 | 3 |
| Ajax | Goals | UEFA Champions League | 1968-1969 | 6 |
| Ajax | Goals | Dutch Eredivisie | 1968-1969 | 24 |
| Ajax | Mins Played | UEFA Champions League | 1968-1969 | 862 |
| Ajax | Mins Played | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1968-1969 | 270 |
| Ajax | Mins Played | Dutch Eredivisie | 1968-1969 | 2,516 |
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| Netherlands | Appearances | International Friendlies | 1968 | 1 |
| Netherlands | Mins Played | International Friendlies | 1968 | 90 |
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| Ajax | Appearances | UEFA Champions League | 1967-1968 | 2 |
| Ajax | Appearances | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1967-1968 | 5 |
| Ajax | Goals | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1967-1968 | 6 |
| Ajax | Goals | UEFA Champions League | 1967-1968 | 1 |
| Ajax | Mins Played | UEFA Champions League | 1967-1968 | 210 |
| Ajax | Mins Played | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1967-1968 | 450 |
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| 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 |
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| 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 |
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| Netherlands | Appearances | International Friendlies | 1966 | 1 |
| Netherlands | Appearances | UEFA European Championships | 1966 | 1 |
| Netherlands | Goals | UEFA European Championships | 1966 | 1 |
| Netherlands | Mins Played | UEFA European Championships | 1966 | 90 |
| Netherlands | Mins Played | International Friendlies | 1966 | 78 |
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| 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 |
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| Ajax | Appearances | Dutch Eredivisie | 1964-1965 | 9 |
| Ajax | Goals | Dutch Eredivisie | 1964-1965 | 1 |
| Ajax | Mins Played | Dutch Eredivisie | 1964-1965 | 810 |
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