Johan Cruijff dead at age 68

Dutch football legend Johan Cruijff died at the age of 68 on Thursday. He passed away peacefully in Barcelona, surrounded by his family, the Cruyff foundation announced.

Cruijff was diagnosed with lung cancer last year. He lost the battle against the illness on March 24th. "We ask you to respect the family's privacy during their time of grief", the foundation writes on its website.

Only two months ago his son Jordi Cruijff stated that Cruijff was doing well in his fight against cancer and that he was facing it in an optimistic way.

The football legend Cruijff played in 48 matches for the Netherlands' national team and scored 33 goals for Oranje. While playing for Ajax, Cruijff won the European Cup three times, in 1971, 1972 and 1973. In 1973 Cruijff moved to FC Barcelona and a year later the team took the Spanish title.

Cruijff also played for the Los Angeles Aztecs, the Washington DIplomats, Levante and Feyenoord, his last club. He also worked as a coach for Ajax and FC Barcelona.