Barcelona legend, Johan Cruyff, passed away earlier this week and the world of football mourned the death of possibly the most influential personality the sport has ever seen. Even fierce rivals, Real Madrid, putting their rivalry aside, paid tribute to the Dutchman with their President attending the tribute while the first team halted training with a minute's silence.
Florentino Perez travelled to Ciudad Condal to pay his respects to the 'Flying Dutchman' and at the memorial even spoke a few words. “These are very sad days. As I always say, there are people who I think should never die, and one of those is Johan Cruyff.
"Johan Cruyff was born in the same year as me. I have known him throughout his sporting life and some say he changed the history of Barcelona, I believe that he also changed the history of football, not just in Spain but around the world. My sentiments are with his family and all the Barcelona fans for their loss, but he is someone who will live forever”.
Florentino Perez then paid a minute's tribute to Cruyff's picture which now dons the Camp Nou and extended sympathies to Barcelona president, Josep María Bartomeu, on behalf of the entire Madrid club. The president also extended his condolences to the azulgrana club.
On Thursday – the day of Cruyff's passing – Real Madrid released a statement on their official website on behalf of their president expressing their condolences and paying tribute. The statement read, "A footballing legend, an icon of the sport, has passed away.
"I would like to express my deep sorrow following the death of Johan Cruyff and offer, on behalf of Real Madrid, and all Real Madrid supporters, our condolences and sympathy to F.C Barcelona and above all to his wife and children. He was an extraordinary player who defined an era, and therefore today is a very sad day for the footballing world."
