Fifty years on, the name lives on through one of football’s most inspirational pieces of genius.
On June 19, 1974, in the 24th minute of Holland’s World Cup Group match with Sweden, the Cruyff turn was born.
Dutch legend Johan Cruyff produced an instinctive piece of skill to glide past Swedish defender Jan Olsson. Cruyff feigned a pass before dragging the ball behind his standing leg, turning 180 degrees and then accelerating away.
There have been players who claimed to have done it before and many who have used it since. Pele in 1960. Or Hal Robson-Kanu’s amazing goal for Wales in Euro 2016. But it is forever known as the Cruyff turn because no-one has done it quite like the Dutch master himself. And that’s the beauty of it.
It lives on through the modern game and a whole new generation know it through video games who do nothing else but call it the Cruyff turn. Just imagine being so good, being so special, that a turn done instinctively - and that is exactly how it happened - could live on 50 years later.
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That is the mark of one of football’s all-time greats and is exactly why his son, Jordi, takes so much pride in his father’s legacy. It also helps the Cruyff Foundation live on and thrive because his name is so powerful that his family can champion projects and sport for children regardless of their race, religion, background or ability.
Johann Cruyff performing the famous "Cruyff turn" (WENN)
Johan Cruyff with son Jordi in 1982, when the latter was just eight years old (Daily Record)Jordi, 50, the former Manchester United and Barcelona winger, says he is “super proud” that his father’s legacy and name lives on.
Jordi told Mirror Football: “To be honest, I think it’s amazing that any player is remembered by a specific action and the fact that he has the Cruyff turn and most people in football, all the pros but most people in football, know what it is means it is something to be super proud of.
“Even my father, I’m sure, was super proud because it was a special move and when they call a move by your name then that’s probably the best legacy you can have. It’s amazing, I don’t think there’s many players who can say this. It gives him a legendary status and I’m super proud of it.
“My father was not a big supporter of video games and all those kind of things but even the young kids now know the meaning of the Cruyff turn and they can show you. I think that’s amazing.
“His name lives on in that aspect. The fact there is two stadiums with his name - the big Ajax stadium of course but also the Barcelona one which is their second stadium - but also the statues. I don’t think there’s many footballers who can say they have two stadiums and two statues named after them.
Johan Cruyff is one of football's greatest players - and innovators (Getty Images)“The name lives on. People like Pep Guardiola, they always mention my father when they win even though all the credit should go to Guardiola himself. He always has kind words of gratitude as well.
“My father was always very humble. He did not always keep prizes. Imagine he won three Golden Balls and it took us three years to find them! If I won a Golden Ball then I would sleep every night beside it!
“But for him, it years to find out where he left them and he left them in different places. That was also my father because he did not really care about these things.
Johan Cruyff holds the European Cup Winners Cup aloft in 1987 (Allsport)
As Ajax captain in 1973-74 (SNS Group 0141 221 3602)“His legendary status and the respect that he has from people in football always makes me proud and there’s not one day that I don’t get someome coming up to me, even in the street, feeling the need to just saying what my farther meant to them.
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“The older generation remember him for coming to Barcelona during a difficullt time when they had not won for 14 years and they won it of course. That makes it a special number in the family. The young generation remember it from the video games.
“As his son, I can only say that he is one of those immortal peopole in sport because 99 per cent of us come, then we go, but he always stays with us because his image and his legacy always remains. As his son, I’m super super proud of it.”
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