Though he was the one of the great Footballer, was actually the only total footballer whose performance was unparallel. He was little unlucky as Netherland could not won the World Cup under his captaincy despite being the best player. He did not get that much Honour he deserved.
Thanks for the many moments of sheer joy on field, both as player and coach. Am sure you must be making ripples on the football field wherever you are now. Rest in Peace, dear Johan.
Every author who has written an epilogue of the "Cryuff Story" have justifiably mentioned his great footballing genius, but there is one more aspect of him which is not often highlighted. In addition to his being a footballing genius, he was one for taking up a human cause if it pricked his conscience. He refused to play in the 1978 world cup because the host country Argentina was under military dictatorship. His boycott of the world cup was a sign of protest against rampant human rights violation under the military regime. Perhaps other than the great Muhammad Ali (protest against Vietnam War) no other sportsman however great they may be have taken up a cause which may have been detrimental to their career. In fact had Cryuff played, Holland would have surely won that world cup.And that makes Cryuff greater than the greatest.
