Who is Johan Cruyff? - Book Review

Johan Cruyff, is a well known name in the football world. He is known as ‘the European Pele’ which signifies that he is one of the most successful football players in history.

Johan Cruyff coined the term Total Football, a unique style of playing football introduced by him. Under the Total Football scheme a player is allowed to play from any position he wishes to.

This unique style of play introduced by Johan Cruyff is still being used by many football clubs across Europe, from Bayern Munich to Barcelona and from Cesc Fabrecas to Lionel Messi.

My Turn is an autobiography that lets us take a look in the life of this classy football player. Cruyff started his football career at Ajax, after conquering three European Cups and eight national titles, he moved to Barcelona.

Soon he was named European Footballer of the Year after he won the La Liga in the year 1973, in the first season. There was no stopping for this marvelous player, as his remarkable play helped the Dutch team reach the finals of the 1974 World Cup, he was also given Ballon d’Or three times.

Unfortunately, the Dutch national team lost to West Germany, but Johan Cruyff was judged as the player of the tournament and was given the Golden Ball.

Johan Cruyff who was in complete control of his game on the football field, earned bad name in his normal life as he was involved in a kidnapping attempt and bankruptcy. Back on the football field, after retirement in 1984, Johan had a successful career as the manager of Ajax and later on with Barcelona.

Barcelona won the champions league when he was the manager of the team and young Pep Guardiola was in his team at that time. In the year 1999, Johan Cruyff was judged as the European Player of the Century. He came just second to Pele in the pool for the World Player of the Century.

The football world came to a standstill in March 2016 Cruyff breathe his last after a short fight against lung cancer. My Turn by Johan Cruyff is a must read for any person who follows football.

Book Author

Discussion on the best football players of the world is not complete without the mention of Johan Cruyff. The football philosophy and style of play of this legendary player has been the source of inspiration and guide to many manager and players, including Xavi, Eric Cantona, Arsene Wenger and Pep Guardiola.

Johan Cruyff changed the structure and style of play of Spanish football and this can be clearly seen from the successes they have had both at the club and international levels. The wonderful and unique career of Cruyff can now be read by you in the book My Turn. You can now know the philosophy that changed the football career of Johan but also of many generations of managers, footballers and fans.