IN SPORT.ES
Today marks the three year anniversary of Johan Cruyff's death. The iconic Dutch man remains a key figure when it comes to the history and essence of FC Barcelona. He played for the team between 1973 and 1978, then coached it between 1988 and 1996. He won Barça's first league title in 14 years and then, on the bench, led the team to their first European Cup. However above all that, he is remembered for his vision of the wonderful game and the way he understood football.
Three years on, his mark remains on this football club. The new training pitch is named after him and FC Barcelona constantly provide talks and events honouring his beliefs and methods when it comes to the sport, all in honour of Johan Cruyff.
Tribute
Yesterday the club informed the world, via its official website, that it had organised speechs to all of its football teams - both male and female - to remember Cruyff and his concepts which now form part of the current La Masia DNA. It also involved three videos showing him as a player, a coach and lastly the impact he's left on Barça.
Xavier Vilajoana, a director who covers the formation of the teams and La Masia, said: "We believe it's very important that our youngsters know who Johan Cruyff was, what he did for this club, and why we have created a stadium in his honour. Cruyff was one of the first to implant this football model and its what keeps up improving so much over the years, but the base remains the same one he created."
Respect
Some of the youngest stars at Barcelona valued and respected the talks which took place. Xavi Simons, who plays for Cadete A, said this: "We maintain the philosophy which he gave Barça: touch. That's why we keep hold of the ball so much."
For Laia Codina, who plays for Barça B: "Everything that Barça are doing now, whether it's at the formative level or in the first team, is thanks to Johan Cruyff."
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And lastly, Juvenil A player Arnau Comas said this: “Cruyff created Barça's identity. That's why we play differently (to everyone else)."