A year without Johan

The greatest footballer the world has ever seen.

My view and that of most who own a Dutch passport.

It was October 2015 when Cruyff's battle against lung cancer, one he was destined to lose, became public knowledge.

A few days after the announcement I was at De Kuip for Feyenoord - AZ. In the 14th minute, in honour of his Ajax and Holland shirt number, the crowd rose as one to applaud his battle. 'Sterke Johan', read the banners. All led by Giovanni Van Bronckhorst, who strode out from the dugout into the technical area to clap. 

Cruyff only spent a year at Feyenoord, but he delivered a championship. His final season spent playing for Ajax's arch enemy. The result of an argument over money and influence. How very Johan.

It's why I love him. In a  contemporary game short of characters, individuality, opinion, he stood out. Always his own man, always brilliant, always challenging, in thought and deed.