Netherlands great Johan Cruyff has died of cancer aged 68, his official website has announced.
Cruyff, who made his name as a forward with Ajax and Barcelona, was surrounded by friends and family.
Cruyff won three consecutive European Cups with Ajax as a player and went on to manage Barcelona to their first European Cup win in 1992.
As recently as February, Cruyff said he felt he was “2-0 up in a match” against lung cancer and that he was “sure I will end up winning”.
As a player, Cruyff helped his country reach the World Cup final in 1974, where they lost to West Germany.
Cruyff, who represented Holland 48 times as well as playing for Ajax and Barcelona, passed away on Thursday after a battle with cancer.
A statement on Cruyff’s website read: ‘On March 24 2016 Johan Cruyff (68) died peacefully in Barcelona, surrounded by his family after a hard fought battle with cancer.
‘It’s with great sadness that we ask you to respect the family’s privacy during their time of grief.’
Cruyff, who won three European Cups and eight Dutch titles with Ajax, was diagnosed with lung cancer last October.
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