The legendary Dutch player and manager Johan Cruyff has been diagnosed with lung cancer, according to widespread news in Spain. The 68-year-old former Barcelona player and coach and three-time Ballon d'Or winner has been a long-term smoker. He eventually quit smoking after his double heart bypass in 1991.
According to CNN, after his operation he took part in an anti-smoking advertising campaign, which had the slogan: "I've had to two addictions in my life: smoking and playing football. Football has given me everything, whilst smoking almost took it all away."
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According to Sky Sports, a statement will be issued on the Johan Cruyff Foundation website on Thursday afternoon.
Cruyff helped his country reach the World Cup final in 1974 and was voted best player, where the Netherlands lost in the finals to Germany. He also won three consecutive European Cups with Ajax and went on to play and manage at Barcelona.
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While in charge at the Spanish club, he led them to their first European Cup win in 1992 and the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1989.
They also won four consecutive La Liga titles from 1991 to 1994.
He invented the "Cruyff Turn" -- a football trick still seen across school playgrounds to this day -- and he also helped to champion the "Total Football" philosophy that made his Ajax and Netherlands sides some of the most revered of all time. Considered to be one of the most influential figures in football history, Cruyff's style of play and his football philosophy has significantly influenced many notable managers and players such as Frank Rijkaard, Josep Guardiola, Michael Laudrup, Arsène Wenger, Eric Cantona and Xavi.
His last managerial appointment was at the Catalonia national team, where he was in charge from 2009 to 2013.
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