What’s the story?
Barcelona president, Josep Maria Bartomeu has announced that the club would be honouring legend, Johan Cruyff with a statue outside Camp Nou. This comes exactly a year after the former player and manager passed away.
The club will also be naming the new stadium they are building for their 'B' team after the former Dutch international. Speaking to the media, Bartomeu said "It is an honour to name these most emblematic spaces after him. He taught us a way of living through the game and laid the foundations for modern football."
Cruyff's son, Jordi was in attendance along with his family. He proclaimed himself 'proud' and said: "It is a great honour, the Mini Estadi is the last step before the first team, and my father always valued youth and would be delighted with this homage, it is a lovely gesture that ensures my father will always be present."
In case you didn’t know...
Cruyff is a footballing legend who passed away on March 24th, 2016. He played for Ajax, Barcelona and Feyenoord mainly during his playing days and then went on to manage Ajax and Barcelona.
A prolific goalscorer, and a great creator for others, Cruyff even had a skill named after him. The ‘Cruyff turn’ is famous even to this day and is yet to be perfected by any footballer despite several attempts.
He started his managerial career at Ajax and much like his playing days, he was lured away by Barcelona. The Dutchman was the first one to realise the potential of La Masia players and give them the chance to shine.
Long before Barcelona's trademark 'tiki-taka' tactic, there was "total football". Led by Cruyff, this style was based on quick passing, quick movement and constant rotation of position.
The heart of the matter
Camp Nou will soon be having a statue of the Dutchman and also be having a stadium named after him. The Catalan side are also in talks with the City Hall to rename the street where the club has had its headquarters for the last 60 years after him.
What’s next?
Fans around the world are waiting to see where the statue will be situated and also how it will look. Will it be the legendary Dutchman in his great Cruyff position or will it be one where he is celebrating?
Author’s Take
This is a brilliant gesture by Barcelona, and I wish other clubs also start doing the same or something similar to honour their legends.
