Johan Cruyff dead: Gary Lineker, Xabi Alonso and Ian Rush lead the tributes as the footballing world pays its respect

Cruyff died of cancer at the age of 68, it has been announced

Thursday 24 March 2016 14:32 GMT

Johan Cruyff in action for the Netherlands (Getty Images)

Football lost one of its finest ever players today, with the passing of Netherlands legend Johan Cruyff.

Cruyff died of cancer at the age of 68.

The footballing world was quick to pay tribute to the Dutch maestro, one of the most inventive players ever to grace the game - bringing magical moments of skill such as the Cruyff turn to the world.

A statement on his website read: "On March 24 2016 Johan Cruyff (68) died peacefully in Barcelona, surrounded by his family after a hard fought battle with cancer. It's with great sadness that we ask you to respect the family's privacy during their time of grief."

HOW THE FOOTBALLING WORLD PAID TRIBUTE

The three-time European player of year won three European championships with Ajax and one with Barcelona as a coach.

Johan Cruyff 1947-2016

The world-record transfer fee Barcelona paid for Cruyff in 1973 was a milestone in the commercialization of sport.

Johan Cruyff - life in pictures

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1/12Johan Cruyff - life in pictures

Johan Cruyff - life in pictures

Unrivalled success at Ajax

After joining the Ajax youth system on his 10th birthday, Johan Cruyff made his debut in 1964 before going on to win eight Eredivisie titles and the European Cup on three occasions with the Dutch giants

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Johan Cruyff - life in pictures

Setting the European agenda

Cruyff was an integral figure behind Ajax’s dominance in continental football as the Dutch outfit lifted three consecutive European Cups between 1971-73.

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Johan Cruyff - life in pictures

Reaching the World Cup final

The forward’s colourful exploits allowed the Netherlands to reach the World Cup final in 1974 but he couldn’t help see off an imperious Germany side at Munich's Olympic Stadium. He scored 33 goals for Oranje in 48 appearances between 1966-1977.

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Johan Cruyff - life in pictures

Dutch royal approval

Cruyff and his fellow team-mates nonetheless earned legendary status among the wider Dutch public and they were given a heroes’ welcome by Queen Juliana of the Netherlands when they returned home in 1974.

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Johan Cruyff - life in pictures

The ‘Cruyff turn’

Now a global superstar, the enigmatic forward wrote himself into football folklore after perfecting the ‘Cruyff turn’ which is still being copied by modern day footballers today.

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Johan Cruyff - life in pictures

Success across the globe

Before being voted as European Player of the Century, Cruyff also represented Barcelona, Los Angeles Aztecs, Washington Diplomats, Levante and Feyenoord. At the Nou Camp, he added La Liga and Copa del Rey triumphs to his glittering CV.

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Johan Cruyff - life in pictures

Trying his hand at management

Just a year after retiring from playing, Cruyff returned to Ajax as manager where his unyielding success continued with two KNVB Cups and the Uefa Cup Winners’ Cup before leaving to take charge at Spanish juggernauts Barcelona.

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Johan Cruyff - life in pictures

Revolution at Barcelona

Cruyff led a period of revolution at the Catalan giants, lifting four La Liga titles and one European Cup as rivals Real Madrid were muzzled both domestically and on the European stage by his Barca side.

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Johan Cruyff - life in pictures

Becoming a TV personality

Fresh from his spell at the Nou Camp, Cruyff then became a prominent television personality, providing his unrivalled experience to Dutch audiences.

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Johan Cruyff - life in pictures

Stripped of honorary presidency

Cruyff was a controversial figure at Barcelona, however, and was named honorary president before being stripped of the title just months later after new president Sandro Rosell took office in July 2010.

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Johan Cruyff - life in pictures

Ajax return

Ajax called upon Cruyff’s services again in 2011, appointing him as an advisor, but the Amsterdam legend left just a year later after quelling with senior figures at the club.

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Johan Cruyff - life in pictures

Legacy in football

Cruyff remained a prominent figure in the world of football and was given the support of Barcelona's current generation when news of his deteriorating health was made public in 2015.

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His instinctive genius for how a move would develop earned him the label "Pythagorus in boots."

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