Johan Cruyff says it’s 'all hands on deck' with his lung cancer battle
Monday 9 November 2015 14:48, UK
Johan Cruyff, the former Ajax, Barcelona and Holland player and manager, has revealed details about his treatment for lung cancer.
The 68 year old, three-time Ballon d'Or winner made his illness public last month with his official website stating that he had undergone various check-ups in Spain.
Cruyff commented on his illness in his column of the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, saying: "We are well underway with my illness. It is all hands on deck. The exceptional medical staffs have finished their preparations and we are now going into a new phase, knowing that a lot of excellent work has been done."
Cruyff led Ajax to three consecutive European Cups from 1971 to 1973 and was the star figure as Holland reached the World Cup final in 1974.
He later joined Barcelona for a world record fee and became a huge favourite at the Nou Camp, eventually leading the Catalan club to a first European Cup triumph in 1992 and four successive Primera Division titles.
Cruyff said, "Thinking and talking about football gives me a lot of joy and takes my mind off worrying about the illness."