Johan Cruyff - RIP

[66andBlue]

A sad day for Dutch and World Football (the real one, not the US aberration):
http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/35892775

[Cees Klumper]

Yes, an icon has passed. He was a unique and very elegant player. Some of his many famous quotes: "If I had wanted you to understand, I would have explained it better", "Orange is a happy color" (orange being the Dutch national color); "Sometimes, something has to happen before something can happen", "you only see it once you get it" and my personal favorite, when a sports commentator before an important match asked him "So Johan, do you think Barcelona will win tonight?" to which Johan replied "I don't think they have any choice!"

[66andBlue]

Yes Cees, a very elegant player indeed.
My favorite quote is this one:
“There’s only one moment in which you can arrive in time. If you’re not there, you’re either too early or too late.”

For those not versed in football - or Dutch poetry  - here are more with explanations:
http://isleofholland.com/read/sports/14-classic-johan-cruyff-quotes-explained

[Peter van Es]

I watched all the old footage of him in his prime yesterday, and football was much more entertaining back in his day.

He achieved major successes in Barcelona, and apparently his Spanish sayings are as quaint as his Dutch. "En un momento dado".

And: "Football is a simple game. Playing football simply, that is the difficulty".  Or: "Football is a simple game. Either you reach the ball in time, or you are too late. If you are too late too often, leave a little earlier the next time..."

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

He was a great Footballer may he RIP he will be missed by many.

[68_white]

Very sad day for me. He was my hero back in the 70s, when I was playing football in college. RIP.

[waqas]

As coach, Johan Cruijff's dream team of the early nineties is what made me a lifetime Barca supporter. Their sporting academy "La Masia" is based on Cruijff's football philosophy, and has created great players like Iniesta, Xavi and Messi.

He had a wonderful way with words. My favourite quote is "Before I make a mistake, I don't make that mistake."

I'm glad he's being recognized as more than a great footballer. Tactically, he's pretty much the father of the modern game.