Netherlands footballing great Johan Cruyff has died of cancer aged 68.
Cruyff, who made his name as a forward with Ajax and Barcelona, was European footballer of the year three times.
He won three consecutive European Cups with Ajax from 1971, coached Barcelona to their first European Cup triumph in 1992 and helped the Dutch reach the 1974 World Cup Final, where they were beaten 2-1 by West Germany.
The Dutch FA said: "Words can hardly be found for this huge loss."
It added: "The greatest Dutch footballer of all time and one of the world's best ever. Our condolences go to his wife, family, friends and the entire football world at home and abroad. We wish everyone a lot of strength in this difficult time."
Cruyff first showcased the 'Cruyff turn' at the 1974 World Cup in a match for the Netherlands against Sweden.
Cruyff, who had double heart bypass surgery in 1991, was diagnosed with cancer in October 2015.
Netherlands great Johan Cruyff dies of cancer aged 68
BBC Sport
24 March 2016
Johan Cruyff was widely regarded as one of the best players of all time
Netherlands footballing great Johan Cruyff has died of cancer aged 68.
Cruyff, who made his name as a forward with Ajax and Barcelona, was European footballer of the year three times.
He won three consecutive European Cups with Ajax from 1971, coached Barcelona to their first European Cup triumph in 1992 and helped the Dutch reach the 1974 World Cup Final, where they were beaten 2-1 by West Germany.
The Dutch FA said: "Words can hardly be found for this huge loss."
It added: "The greatest Dutch footballer of all time and one of the world's best ever. Our condolences go to his wife, family, friends and the entire football world at home and abroad. We wish everyone a lot of strength in this difficult time."
Cruyff first showcased the 'Cruyff turn' at the 1974 World Cup in a match for the Netherlands against Sweden.
Cruyff, who had double heart bypass surgery in 1991, was diagnosed with cancer in October 2015.
Having been a smoker, he gave up immediately after the operation and took to sucking lollipops in the Barcelona dugout.
He featured in a Catalan health department advert, saying: "Football has given me everything in life, tobacco almost took it all away."
In February, Cruyff said he felt he was "2-0 up in a match" against lung cancer and he was "sure I will end up winning".
Barcelona players wear t-shirts in support of Johan Cruyff earlier this year
Barcelona won four consecutive La Liga titles from 1990-91 to 1993-94 under his guidance.
He was sacked by Barcelona in 1995 but remained influential at the club for the rest of his life.
'True football royalty' - tributes to Cruyff
Former England, Leicester City, Everton, Barcelona, Tottenham Hotspur and Nagoya Grampus star Gary Lineker
Manchester City and Belgium captain Vincent Kompany: "RIP Johan Cruyff, true football royalty. I don't think anyone has ever influenced the game as much as he has done. We have all been touched and inspired by his vision and his beliefs. Football will miss him but we will never forget."
Former World Cup-winning Germany captain Lothar Matthaus: "Such sad news about Johan Cruyff. A great man, who transformed football. Condolences to his family and friends."
Real Madrid and Spain defender Sergio Ramos
Tottenham Hotspur great Osvaldo Ardiles who won the 1978 World Cup with Argentina
Former Germany World Cup winner and manager Jurgen Klinsmann: "Very sad news about the death of legend Johan Cruyff. What an amazing player, Coach, teacher and person he was."
John Murray, BBC Radio 5 live: "I think you have to be in your 40s now to really appreciate the skill and genius he brought to the game. He was a strong willed individual and that was the reason he went on to achieve so much success after his playing days were over.
"He went on to be the founding father of Barcelona. He is absolutely revered to this day in Barcelona. He was one of the best players who had ever played the game."
Bayern Munich and Spain midfielder Xabi Alonso
Former Scotland international Steve Archibald played at Barcelona in the 1980s
BBC Radio 5 live will broadcast a special programme paying tribute to Cruyff at 19:00 GMT on Thursday.
Netherlands great Johan Cruyff dies of cancer aged 68 - BBC Sport
Cruyff, who made his name as a forward with Ajax and Barcelona, was European footballer of the year three times.
He won three consecutive European Cups with Ajax from 1971, coached Barcelona to their first European Cup triumph in 1992 and helped the Dutch reach the 1974 World Cup Final, where they were beaten 2-1 by West Germany.
The Dutch FA said: "Words can hardly be found for this huge loss."
It added: "The greatest Dutch footballer of all time and one of the world's best ever. Our condolences go to his wife, family, friends and the entire football world at home and abroad. We wish everyone a lot of strength in this difficult time."
Cruyff first showcased the 'Cruyff turn' at the 1974 World Cup in a match for the Netherlands against Sweden.
Cruyff, who had double heart bypass surgery in 1991, was diagnosed with cancer in October 2015.
Netherlands great Johan Cruyff dies of cancer aged 68
BBC Sport
24 March 2016
Johan Cruyff was widely regarded as one of the best players of all time
Netherlands footballing great Johan Cruyff has died of cancer aged 68.
Cruyff, who made his name as a forward with Ajax and Barcelona, was European footballer of the year three times.
He won three consecutive European Cups with Ajax from 1971, coached Barcelona to their first European Cup triumph in 1992 and helped the Dutch reach the 1974 World Cup Final, where they were beaten 2-1 by West Germany.
The Dutch FA said: "Words can hardly be found for this huge loss."
It added: "The greatest Dutch footballer of all time and one of the world's best ever. Our condolences go to his wife, family, friends and the entire football world at home and abroad. We wish everyone a lot of strength in this difficult time."
Cruyff first showcased the 'Cruyff turn' at the 1974 World Cup in a match for the Netherlands against Sweden.
The Netherlands' Johan Cruyff runs at West Germany's Franz Beckenbauer during the 1974 World Cup Final at the Olympic Stadium in Munich which West Germany won 2-1
Cruyff, who had double heart bypass surgery in 1991, was diagnosed with cancer in October 2015.
Having been a smoker, he gave up immediately after the operation and took to sucking lollipops in the Barcelona dugout.
He featured in a Catalan health department advert, saying: "Football has given me everything in life, tobacco almost took it all away."
In February, Cruyff said he felt he was "2-0 up in a match" against lung cancer and he was "sure I will end up winning".
Barcelona players wear t-shirts in support of Johan Cruyff earlier this year
Barcelona won four consecutive La Liga titles from 1990-91 to 1993-94 under his guidance.
He was sacked by Barcelona in 1995 but remained influential at the club for the rest of his life.
'True football royalty' - tributes to Cruyff
Former England, Leicester City, Everton, Barcelona, Tottenham Hotspur and Nagoya Grampus star Gary Lineker
Manchester City and Belgium captain Vincent Kompany: "RIP Johan Cruyff, true football royalty. I don't think anyone has ever influenced the game as much as he has done. We have all been touched and inspired by his vision and his beliefs. Football will miss him but we will never forget."
Former World Cup-winning Germany captain Lothar Matthaus: "Such sad news about Johan Cruyff. A great man, who transformed football. Condolences to his family and friends."
Real Madrid and Spain defender Sergio Ramos
Tottenham Hotspur great Osvaldo Ardiles who won the 1978 World Cup with Argentina
Former Germany World Cup winner and manager Jurgen Klinsmann: "Very sad news about the death of legend Johan Cruyff. What an amazing player, Coach, teacher and person he was."
John Murray, BBC Radio 5 live: "I think you have to be in your 40s now to really appreciate the skill and genius he brought to the game. He was a strong willed individual and that was the reason he went on to achieve so much success after his playing days were over.
"He went on to be the founding father of Barcelona. He is absolutely revered to this day in Barcelona. He was one of the best players who had ever played the game."
Bayern Munich and Spain midfielder Xabi Alonso
Former Scotland international Steve Archibald played at Barcelona in the 1980s
BBC Radio 5 live will broadcast a special programme paying tribute to Cruyff at 19:00 GMT on Thursday.
Netherlands great Johan Cruyff dies of cancer aged 68 - BBC Sport
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