Johan Cruyff, dead at the far too early age of 68, will surely not be forgotten. He leaves the most wonderful memories of sublime soccer skill, of course. But not just memories — Cruyff becomes one of the first of the soccer greats to leave a career-long record — on film and tape and discs — of his dazzling skills.
George Best, another cruelly early death, has shown the way. And we have fragmented archive clips of Alfredo Di Stefano. The arguments over who was the greatest — and, of course, Cruyff is up there among the small group who deserve, nay demand, to be seen in that light — will never cease. But in future it will not be just the names that are spoken, it will be the movement, the play, the player himself who comes back.
You can now call up, so easily, the famous move that Cruyff put on Swedish defender Jan Olsson in the 1974 World Cup. Watch it and marvel. In that same tournament, Cruyff was to be seen – and can still be seen — gliding elegantly all over the field, scoring two goals and leading the Netherlands to a 4-0 win over the Argentines, who could find no answer to his magic.
The1974 tournament ended with Dutch beaten in the final by the Germans. Not Cruyff’s greatest game … and there was that halftime incident to recall. With his team trailing 2-1, Cruyff left the field while protesting very publicly to referee Jack Taylor. As Cruyff finally turned away, Taylor gave him a yellow card. Yet Cruyff then vigorously and dangerously resumed the argument as he and Taylor entered the tunnel.
Some six years later, when Cruyff was in New York, I asked him whether he was not taking a huge risk, in prolonging the dispute, of getting himself ejected. Cruyff scoffed: “No referee would send anyone off for arguing. Not in a World Cup final.”
SUBSCRIBE TO KEEP READING
Start for $0 & enjoy free unlimited access for 30 days.
- Daily TV listings for U.S. and global soccer.
- Inside access to USA’s 2026 World Cup prep.
- Exclusive interviews with players and coaches.
- Expert analysis of top soccer headlines.
- Cancel anytime.
Already have an account? Sign in here.
CHECK OUT MORE STORIES
Not ready to subscribe? Sign up here for our free newsletter.
Already have an account? Sign in here.