Johan Cruijff

Johan Cruyff (or Cruijffie) is voted the best European soccer player of the twentieth century (and the second best worldplayer). He started his career with AJAX Amsterdam and led them to 4 European finals of which 3 were won (1971/1972/1973). In 1973 Cruyff joined Barcelona (for a the then record-fee of 6 million guilders), He became a very popular player * also known as el salvador - and gave Barcelona (and Catalonia) their pride back. One fan of the club was so pleased with Johan he gave him a bungalow in the mountains outside Barcelona. With the dutch national team he became the inventor of Total Football in 1974. The world finals were lost against the Germans, leaving the Netherlands with a lifelong trauma. After leaving Barcelona Johan played soccer in the States (Washington Diplomats) and then retired. Due to bad investments het was forced back to the pitch. He joined his first team on a highly profitable contract. In his first game against Harlem he scored a fantastic goal and thus silenced his critics. After two years with Ajax he then joined their great rivals, Feyenoord. Although he lost a game against Ajax 8-2, he made Feyenoord champion of Holland. He then retired as an active player. After a few years he became involved again with his first love, Ajax. He coached them for a few years, winning the European cup winners cup, before he got fired after arguing with the president of the club. But he has not only a first love, but maybe he has an even greater second love, Barcelona. He coached them for a few years, winning the European Champions league for the first time and four times the Spanish league.