It is an incredibly tough day for the entire soccer world as we mourn Johan Cruyff’s death at the age of 68 after a battle with lung cancer. Within hours, just about everyone paid their condolences and shared some of their favorite memories about the man who revolutionized modern soccer. Here is just a sampling of the online tributes.
Johan Cruyff 1947-2016 (RIP)
More https://t.co/Y5rif7KR4E
Más https://t.co/L2BK27eyz2
Meer https://t.co/rPjPG2epxj pic.twitter.com/QcVfmeJINu— Johan Cruyff (@JohanCruyff) March 24, 2016
We’ll always love you, Johan. Rest in peace https://t.co/OOKLgPnAyv — FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 24, 2016
Johan Cruyff – video obituary https://t.co/XXSLsWy6Kbhttps://t.co/6nqMsZql2O
— Guardian sport (@guardian_sport) March 24, 2016
Johan #Cruijff: de allergrootste…https://t.co/geNcOkxDHc — AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) March 24, 2016
Johan #Cruijff: groots en uniek.https://t.co/oXplmwM7uM
— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) March 24, 2016
Johan Cruyff, the flying Dutchman, in images pic.twitter.com/DiAkxEIIUk — FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 24, 2016
Today we regret the death of the great leader Johan Cruyff. My feelings to the family of this eternal legend. pic.twitter.com/DSqnCNWOon
— Ronaldinho Gaúcho (@10Ronaldinho) March 24, 2016
I am shocked. Johan #Cruyff is dead. He was not only a very good friend but also a brother to me. pic.twitter.com/aCKwDjIx9Z — Franz Beckenbauer (@beckenbauer) March 24, 2016
Deeply saddened by the death of my best coach and good friend. Thanks for everything. Forever in our heart. pic.twitter.com/DnMWxydiAn
— Ronald Koeman (@RonaldKoeman) March 24, 2016
My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Johan Cruyff. One of the very best. RIP. pic.twitter.com/YvP5PZwW7n — Cesc Fàbregas Soler (@cesc4official) March 24, 2016
RIP Johan Cruyff – on every short list for greatest ever player and star “turn”, quite literally.
— Ian Darke (@IanDarke) March 24, 2016
Pep Guardiola on Johan Cruyff – “He was without equal on training and tactics.” #SSFootball — SuperSport Blitz (@SuperSportBlitz) March 24, 2016
A genius is gone, but his legacy will remain forever… RIP Johan Cruyff. pic.twitter.com/byuVxTZ4pj
— Juan Mata García (@juanmata8) March 24, 2016
Not often is the word magician used to describe an athlete. The amazing thing, everything Johan #Cruyff did with a ball was real. RIP. — Maximiliano Bretos (@mbretosESPN) March 24, 2016
In honor of Johan Cruyff @HeatherOReilly has promised to “Cruyff the s%#t out of everyone at training.” I imagine he would be pleased.
— Becky Sauerbrunn (@beckysauerbrunn) March 24, 2016
RIP Johan Cruyff. He will be remembered as a legend who transformed the game in so many ways. pic.twitter.com/dUYSYem0Ec — Thierry Henry (@ThierryHenry) March 24, 2016
Ronald de Boer: “Johan Cruyff was a superstar, but without the star attitude.” pic.twitter.com/lez8cZTaSr
— Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) March 24, 2016
Florentino Perez: “Johan Cruyff was an incredible player who marked an era, which is why today is a very sad day for the world of football.” — BlancoEdition (@BlancoEdition) March 24, 2016
Today we say farewell to a legend. Thank you for helping grow soccer in the United States. RIP, Johan Cruyff. pic.twitter.com/vXSzNAvYiD
— Sunil Gulati (@sunilgulati) March 24, 2016
Football changed for me forever after the first time I watched Johan Cruyff play. #14 — Graeme Le Saux (@graemelesaux14) March 24, 2016
RIP Johan Cruyff, football has lost another legend today! 😔 pic.twitter.com/AgKEz0OmmD
— Héctor Bellerín (@HectorBellerin) March 24, 2016
The genius, the artist, the man who made evolve football; Johan Cruyff has left us. RIP BIG MAN!! pic.twitter.com/6WryD88NOh — Faustino Asprilla (@TinoasprillaH) March 24, 2016
A legend never dies. Will be always remembered as one of the greatest.
R.I.P Johan Cruyff (1947 – 2016) pic.twitter.com/Dr7PMV8Pny
— Rafinha Official (@R13_official) March 24, 2016
RIP, Johan Cruyff. The football legend has passed away at age 68 from cancer. #cruyffturnforever pic.twitter.com/13SFSWM6VL — Elite Daily (@EliteDaily) March 24, 2016
The ’14’ will never be the same. RIP Johan Cruyff. pic.twitter.com/OZxbF4Z0kO
— Xabi Alonso (@XabiAlonso) March 24, 2016
RIP Johan Cruyff. One of the greatest of all time. — Mia Hamm (@MiaHamm) March 24, 2016
Great athletes and great men are immortal. Rest in peace, @JohanCruyff. pic.twitter.com/SLkmIXImfR
— Sport Lisboa Benfica (@SLBenfica) March 24, 2016
Sad to hear that Johan Cruyff has died. Football has lost a man who did more to make the beautiful game beautiful than anyone in history. — Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) March 24, 2016
A legend is no longer among us but we will never, ever forget his impact and legacy to the game as a player and manager. RIP Johan Cruyff
— 32 Flags (@32flags) March 24, 2016
Obviously, we could go forever with tributes from all corners of the soccer world. That just goes to show how much of an impact Johan Cruyff has had on everyone.