Barça remember Cruyff on fifth anniversary of his passing

March 24 marks the fifth anniversary of the passing of Johan Cruyff, and FC Barcelona have remembered the legend of the world of football -one of the most influential figures in the history of the game. 

FCB president, Joan Laporta; first vice-president, Rafael Yuste; institutional vice-presidentel, Elena Fort; and Johan Cruyff's daughter, Susila Cruyff, participated in a private event, in which a bouquet of 14 red roses and a bouquet of tulips were laid at the foot of the statue of the Dutchman at the Camp Nou. Accompanying them were Jordi Casals, president of Barça B; and Enric Masip, former FC Barcelona handball player.

The offering was made under the statue located in front of the 'Tribuna' entrance to the Camp Nou, very close to the statue of Ladislaus Kubala. It shows an iconic image of Cruyff, similar to photographs of his time as Barça captain in the 1970's. The sculpture, made of bronze, was inaugurated in August 2019 and is the work of Dutch artist Corry Ammerlaan van Niekerk.

After playing as number 9 for Barça, Cruyff also had a legendary career as coach at the club, before working on social initiatives such as the Johan Cruyff Foundation -with whom the Barça Foundation collaborate closely- and businesses under the umbrella of 'World of Johan Cruyff.'

JOAN LAPORTA:

“Johan has been the most important person in the modern history of FC Barcelona. As a player, he turned football into art; he brought us the LaLiga title in 1973/74, with the 0-5 win at the Bernabéu that remains in the collective memory of Barça fans. Then, as coach, he won four LaLiga titles and the first Copa de España. He was the father of a philosophy that has carried us on the road to success, and was inspirational in the era in which Barça have become renowned worldwide. He will always live on in our memories."