Thursday 19 November 2015 22:04, UK
Johan Cruyff is "convinced" he will win his fight against lung cancer after undergoing a first bout of chemotherapy.
The former Ajax and Barcelona winger revealed details of his illness last month, saying the disease had been discovered following recent tests in Catalonia.
Cruyff, who captained the Netherlands to the World Cup final in 1974 and was one of the proponents of the 'total football' philosophy, quit his role as an advisor for Ajax earlier this week.
"For me it is a battle, but it is a battle that I am convinced I will win," the 68-year-old said.
"I feel good after the first time. I had no problems. My mentality is that chemotherapy is my friend because it is there to kill the cancer. I am fully confident everything will turn out fine."
The three-time Ballon d'Or winner played for Barcelona from 1973 to 1978, winning La Liga in his first season at the Camp Nou, which featured a superb performance in a legendary 5-0 win away to Real Madrid.
Cruyff, who later coached the club from 1988 to 1996, leading them to their first European Cup in 1992, added he had been touched by the show of support since his diagnosis.
"With so many people sending me their positive force, my body is twice as strong as it was before," he said.
