Tributes flood in for Cruyff

Tributes to footballing legend Johan Cruyff have been flooding in since it was announced on Thursday the former Netherlands international has died aged 68 from lung cancer.

One of the most iconic footballers of all time, Cruyff won numerous honours during his 20-year playing career before being equally successful as a manager at both Ajax and Barcelona.

Current Barcelona captain Andres Iniesta said: “It’s a very sad day for everyone, not only for the Barca family, but also for world football and for anyone who has seen the influence he has had on the game. It’s sad.”

Bayern Munich boss, Pep Guardiola – the former Barcelona manager and a member of Cruyff’s ‘dream team’ that won four straight La Liga titles in the 90’s – said: ‘‘Johan is the most influential figure in European football and has been for the past 40-odd years. No other figure in European football has changed the mentality and the way of playing in two great teams as he did with Ajax and Barcelona.’‘

On Friday the international friendly between the Netherlands and France will be halted in the 14th minute in tribute to Cruyff who wore the number 14 shirt for club and country.