Image
"Playing football is very simple, but playing simple football is the hardest thing there is." - Johan Cruyff
The incredible journey of Cruyff
Hendrik Johannes Cruyff, born on April 25, 1947, in Amsterdam, known as Johan Cruyff, was a Dutch professional football player and coach. He grew up in a football-loving family that lived near the AFC Ajax stadium. From an early age, Cruyff's life was always connected to the sport, with encouragement from his father to play and his mother cleaning the Ajax offices after his father passed away.
At the age of 10, he joined Ajax’s youth academy. His talent was undeniable, and he quickly began to progress, improving his skills through rigorous training and a natural affinity for the game. In 1964, at just 17 years old, he was already in the main team, becoming famous for his agility, vision, and incredible goal-scoring ability. By the age of 18, he was competing internationally, and at 19, he won the first of his six league titles with Ajax.
He won the Ballon d'Or three times, in 1971, 1973, and 1974, and was the famous promoter of the football philosophy known as Total Football, along with its founder Rinus Michels. In 1999, he was voted European Player of the Century but came in second place behind the also legendary footballer, Pelé.
He passed away on March 24, 2016, after losing the battle against lung cancer. Posthumously, the Spanish Government awarded him the Gold Medal of Royal Sports Merit, and on April 18, he received the Laureus Award for sportsmanship. In July 2016, the City of Barcelona awarded him the Gold Medal of Sports Merit. His bronze statue was unveiled at Camp Nou on August 26, 2019, with the inscription on its pedestal reading: "Go out and enjoy."
Why Cruyff is considered the father of modern football
As Cruyff’s fame grew, so did his influence on football tactics and player development. The concept of Total Football transformed modern football; it was a tactic that encouraged players to adapt to various positions during a game instead of remaining fixed in one spot. The main idea of Total Football is that any player can take on the role of a teammate, a philosophy that requires both versatility and high awareness from all team members. Not only did he play under this system, but he also embodied it. His vision and technical ability allowed him to seamlessly switch roles during the game, making him unpredictable for the opposing team. Under the leadership of Rinus Michels, both Ajax and the Netherlands achieved remarkable success with Cruyff as a player.
This approach revolutionized the impact of football tactics globally and provided a stark contrast to the rigid football style of that time. This tactic required high endurance and precision, relying on intelligent plays rather than physical strategies or long balls. Teams around the world began incorporating elements of the Total Football philosophy into their style of play. The evolution of football was driven by the introduction of Dutch innovation, which completely changed the game’s tactics. Adaptation and improvisation became the main keys through fluid movements and role changes, reaching new levels of proficiency and control.
The method was most visible at FC Barcelona, where his legacy as a player and coach became integrated into the club’s identity. The Tiki-Taka technique has been associated with the club since Johan Cruyff became its coach. It is a football style based on short passes and movement, working the ball through various channels and maintaining possession. Today, it is still used by the team and has been adopted by other La Liga teams. According to FC Barcelona, Cruyff is considered an unparalleled legend, notable in the 1970s, when he was seen as the world’s number one.
All of Cruyff’s clubs
Throughout his professional football career, he was part of several teams, including Ajax (1964-1973), FC Barcelona (1973-1978), New York Cosmos (1978), Los Angeles Aztecs (1979), Washington Diplomats (1980), Levante (1980-1981), Washington Diplomats (1981), Ajax (1981-1983), and Feyenoord (1983-1984). As a coach, he only had two clubs, Ajax (1985-1988) and FC Barcelona (1988-1996).
The legend who invented the Clockwork Orange
The name "Clockwork Orange" primarily refers to the Netherlands National Team around 1974. At that time, the team was weak and little known, having not participated in the World Cup for 36 years. But everything changed when Ajax became a three-time European champion, followed by the emergence of one of the greatest footballers in history, Johan Cruyff. Thanks to this legend, the Dutch team managed to qualify for the 1974 World Cup in Germany after scoring 24 goals in 6 games during the European qualifiers. The team pioneered a playing style that consisted of not having a fixed position, the precursor to Guardiola’s Tiki-Taka. Coach Rinus Michels planned the strategy, and the players followed it, while Cruyff was the leader. Along with other incredible players such as Johan Neeskens, Johnny Rep, Rob Rensenbrink, Ruud Krol, and Jan Jongbloed, their orange jerseys and "mechanized" style gave rise to the famous name Clockwork Orange.
The thrilling story behind the famous number 14
Johan Cruyff will always be remembered with the number 14 on his back. He used to wear number 9, but in one specific game, he wore number 14, which was a backup jersey. Legend has it that before the match against rivals PSV Eindhoven on October 30, 1970, his teammate Gerrie Mühren couldn’t find his number 7 jersey. Cruyff offered his usual number 9 to Mühren and went to the backup jersey basket, picking up the one on top. It happened to be the famous number 14. Ajax won 1-0, and Cruyff insisted on keeping the same number for the next game.
What does Cruyff-isms mean?
You probably didn’t know this, but Cruyff’s quotes are known as Cruyff-isms, for example, "You have to shoot, otherwise, you can’t score," "Football is a game of mistakes. The team that makes the fewest mistakes wins," or "Every disadvantage has its advantage." The phrases are paradoxical but correct and very intelligent.
Johan Cruyff’s impact on modern football was crucial in inspiring so many teams worldwide. His partnership with Rinus Michels gave rise to Total Football, a revolutionary tactic that emphasized versatility and adaptability among players. He was one of the key figures in transforming the Netherlands National Team and its designation as "Clockwork Orange." His persistence and vision contributed to the growth of FC Barcelona and Ajax, which will never forget the legend of Johan Cruyff, considered the Father of Modern Football.
Don't let your dreams fade away
At BYMS, we were inspired by Johan Cruyff’s story. His relentless pursuit of his football passion, the obstacles he overcame, and the unshakable flame within him are an inspiration to everyone. Just as Cruyff transformed the reality of the beautiful game, Miguel Soares, the visionary behind BYMS, illuminates the dreams of young athletes, but in a different way. Miguel stated, "Life is fleeting, and dreams can vanish before our eyes. Embrace the pursuit, for the pain of regret will always be greater than the pain of failure."
Fueling this spirit, we created a stunning suit that pays tribute to the legendary Cruyff. It is a timeless piece, with a classic silhouette infused with the dynamism of the sport itself. We poured our passion into its creation, but the final decision is in your hands. Share your thoughts and let the flame of inspiration continue to burn intensely! Discover the classic linen suit number 14 here!
Don't let your flame fade. Subscribe to our newsletter below to learn more about football, style, and the latest news from the BYMS Club!