Ajax and Barcelona legend Johan Cruyff diagnosed with lung cancer
Thursday 22 October 2015 17:00, UK
Dutch legend Johan Cruyff has been diagnosed with lung cancer.
A statement on the 68-year-old former Ajax and Barcelona star's official website said the disease had been discovered following recent tests in Barcelona.
"Over the past weeks, Johan Cruyff has been undergoing medical examinations at a hospital in Barcelona. During these examinations, lung cancer has been uncovered. The examinations are still ongoing," the statement said.
"To respect the privacy of Johan and his family, and the fact that the examinations have not been finalised, further announcements cannot be made at the moment."
Cruyff, who won three consecutive European Cups from 1971-73 and three Ballon d'Or awards during his time with Ajax in the early 1970s, was a smoker until undergoing an emergency heart bypass in 1991. After the surgery he became the face of an anti-smoking campaign.
He began his career with the Amsterdam club in 1964, playing almost 250 games for them, and was synonymous with the "Clockwork Orange" Netherlands teams of the 1970s whose attacking brand of total football earned fans from around the world.
He moved to Barcelona in the summer of 1973 where he spent five years - helping the club win their first La Liga title in nearly 15 years in 1974 - before heading for a two-year stint in the United States with Los Angeles Aztecs and Washington Diplomats.
Cruyff returned to the Nou Camp as a coach in 1988 - guiding them to four straight La Liga titles between 1991 and 1994 and a 1-0 victory over Sampdoria for the club's maiden European Cup triumph in 1992. He is also widely credited with laying the foundations of the dominant Barcelona team of recent seasons.
Barca financial vice president Susana Monje sent the club's best wishes to their former player and coach, saying: "We would like from the club to give Johan Cruyff and all of his friends a very big hug after hearing today of the situation that he is living through."
World football's governing body, FIFA, also sent its support, tweeting: "Wishing a speedy recovery to the incomparable Johan Cruyff. This is just another challenge to conquer."
Ajax director Edwin van der Sar said: "On behalf of the club, I wish Johan and his family a lot of strength and a speedy recovery."
