Football lost one of its finest ever players today, with the passing of Netherlands legend Johan Cruyff.
Cruyff died of cancer at the age of 68.
The footballing world was quick to pay tribute to the Dutch maestro, one of the most inventive players ever to grace the game - bringing magical moments of skill such as the Cruyff turn to the world.
A statement on his 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."
HOW THE FOOTBALLING WORLD PAID TRIBUTE
The three-time European player of year won three European championships with Ajax and one with Barcelona as a coach.
The world-record transfer fee Barcelona paid for Cruyff in 1973 was a milestone in the commercialization of sport.
His instinctive genius for how a move would develop earned him the label "Pythagorus in boots."
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