Back to the Colorado Rapids Newsfeed

Dutch soccer great Johan Cruyff dies at age 68

Johan Cruyff, a soccer star who brought a smile to the face of anyone who watched him play, died Thursday, aged 68.

Family spokeswoman Carole Thate told The Associated Press that Cruyff died in Barcelona after a five-month battle with lung cancer.

Ranked alongside such global stars as Pele, Diego Maradona, Franz Beckenbauer and Lionel Messi, Cruyff was one of the best footballers of all time.

He learned his trade at Ajax Amsterdam before joining the great Barcelona, and played 48 times for the Netherlands, scoring 33 goals.

Cruyff was more famous for his silky skills than soccer statistics and was the embodiment of "Total Football," a soccer philosophy that embraced high speed skills and the ability to turn defense into attack in a flash.