Johan Cruyff

 Hendrik Johannes Cruijff, known as internationally Johan Cruyff (25 April 1947 24-March 2016), was a Dutch professional player and manager. He was awarded the Ballon d'Or three time as an athlete in 1971, 1973, and 1974. 4. Cruyff was a proponent of the philosophy of football Total Football, which Rinus Michels pondered. He is widely regarded to be among the top footballers and is one of the most powerful manager. The 1960s and 1970s, Dutch football developed from semi-professional to an elite player. Cruyff was the Netherlands most popular player at the tournament, and he helped them reach the 1974 FIFA World Cup final. Cruyff finished third at UEFA Euro 1976. He was unable to take part in the 1978's FIFA World Cup because of an attempted kidnapping of the family of his members at the family's Barcelona home. Cruyff started his career at Ajax where he was awarded eight Eredivisie title titles and three European Cups, and one Intercontinental Cup. He was transferred to Barcelona in 1973, paying the record fee for a transfer. This enabled him to assist the team to win La Liga the first season. Additionally, he was awarded the Ballon d'Or. Cruyff quit playing football in 1984, and went on to become an effective manager at Ajax and later Barcelona. He was an influential advisor to both clubs during his coaching stints. Jordi his son played in professional football with Barcelona. Cruyff won the European Player of the Century award in 1999. He came second to Pele in the World Player of the Century poll. In the French magazine, France Football's poll to select their Football Player of the Century and Cruyff was ranked third. He was part of the FIFA World Cup Dream Team 2002 in 1998 as well as the World Team of the 20th Century 2003 in 1998. In 2004, he was on the FIFA 100 list of the most influential players of the present.