Johann Cruyff

Early Life

Johan Cruyff was born on April 25, 1947, in Amsterdam, Netherlands. His family was not rich, but they were happy. His father owned a small fruit shop near Ajax football club's stadium. Sadly, Johan's father died when Johan was only 12 years old. This was very difficult for young Johan.

Johan lived very close to Ajax football club. The club became like a second home for him. He started playing football there when he was very young. His mother worked as a cleaner at Ajax to help the family. Johan helped her clean the club too!

Growing Up at Ajax

When Johan was young, he spent all his time at Ajax. He did many jobs at the club:
- He helped clean
- He helped take care of the field
- He collected balls during games
- He watched the older players train

But most importantly, he played football whenever he could. The coaches at Ajax saw that Johan was special. He could do things with the ball that other players could not do. He was very quick and clever.

Starting His Career

Johan joined Ajax's youth team when he was 10 years old. He trained very hard every day. The coaches liked how he thought about football in new ways. He did not just play like everyone else - he tried new things.

In 1964, when he was 17 years old, Johan played his first game for Ajax's main team. He scored a goal in that game! Everyone could see that he was going to be a very special player.

His Amazing Years at Ajax

Johan played for Ajax from 1964 to 1973. During this time, he helped make Ajax the best team in Europe. Here are some amazing things he did with Ajax:
- Won the Dutch league 6 times
- Won the European Cup (now called Champions League) 3 times
- Scored 190 goals for Ajax
- Created a new way of playing football called "Total Football"

What Was Total Football?

Johan helped create a new way to play football called "Total Football." Here's what made it special:
- Players could play in different positions
- Everyone attacked and defended
- Players moved around the field a lot
- The team played very fast
- Players needed to think quickly

This way of playing was very exciting to watch. Many teams today still try to play like this.

Moving to Barcelona

In 1973, Johan moved to Barcelona in Spain. Barcelona paid a lot of money for him - he was the most expensive player in the world at that time! In Barcelona, he became even more famous:
- He helped Barcelona win the Spanish league
- He showed Spanish football a new way to play
- He scored amazing goals
- The fans loved him very much

One special thing happened in Barcelona. Johan's wife was going to have a baby. They wanted to give the baby a Catalan name (Catalan is the language people speak in Barcelona). They named their son Jordi. This made the Barcelona fans very happy!

Playing for the Netherlands

Johan played many games for his country, the Netherlands. His best time was in the 1974 World Cup. He helped the Netherlands get to the final game. Everyone loved watching the Dutch team play. They played "Total Football" and it was very beautiful.

Sadly, the Netherlands lost the final game to West Germany. But people still remember how well Johan and his team played. They changed how people thought about football.

Special Things About Johan

Johan was different from other players in many ways:
- He wore the number 14 (most great players wore number 9 or 10)
- He could do special moves that other players couldn't do
- He thought about football in new ways
- He was very fast and clever with the ball
- He helped his teammates play better

One of his special moves was called the "Cruyff Turn." Many players today still try to do this move. It was a clever way to get past other players with the ball.

Becoming a Coach

After Johan stopped playing football, he became a coach. He was a very good coach too! He coached:
- Ajax (1985-1988)
- Barcelona (1988-1996)

As a coach, Johan taught his teams to play beautiful football. At Barcelona, he started a special school for young players called "La Masia." Many great players learned football there.

His Ideas About Football

Johan had many interesting ideas about football:
- He said football should be fun to watch
- He wanted teams to play in a beautiful way
- He thought young players should learn to think for themselves
- He believed in giving young players a chance
- He said football is a game for smart people

Many coaches today still use Johan's ideas. He changed how people think about football.

Family Life

Johan married his wife Danny in 1968. They had three children:
- Chantal
- Susila
- Jordi (who also became a football player)

His family was very important to him. They helped him make decisions about his career.

Awards and Honors

Johan won many awards because he was so good at football:
- He won the Ballon d'Or (best player in Europe) three times
- FIFA named him one of the best players ever
- He is in the Football Hall of Fame
- Many people call him the best European player ever
- Barcelona and Ajax both retired his number 14 shirt

Helping Others

Johan wanted to help children play sports. In 1997, he started the Johan Cruyff Foundation. This foundation:
- Builds football fields for children
- Helps disabled children play sports
- Gives money to sports projects
- Teaches children about being healthy

Legacy

Sadly, Johan Cruyff died on March 24, 2016. He was 68 years old. But people will never forget him. He changed football in many ways:
- He showed a new way to play
- He helped make Ajax and Barcelona great teams
- He taught many young players
- He helped children play sports
- He made football more beautiful

Simple Facts About Johan Cruyff

Here are some easy-to-remember facts:
- Born: April 25, 1947
- Died: March 24, 2016
- Birthplace: Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Main teams: Ajax and Barcelona
- Famous number: 14
- Games for Netherlands: 48
- Goals for Netherlands: 33
- Special move: The Cruyff Turn

Important Words to Know

Here are some important words from the text:
- Legacy: The good things people remember about you
- Foundation: An organization that helps people
- Coach: Someone who teaches sports
- Style: The way someone does something
- Turn: A special move in football
- Beautiful: Very nice to look at
- Clever: Very smart
- Special: Different and better than normal
- Total: Complete or whole
- Legend: A very famous person

Conclusion

Johan Cruyff was more than just a football player. He was:
- A great player
- A successful coach
- A clever thinker
- A helpful person
- A family man

He showed that football can be beautiful and fun. Many people say football today is different because of Johan Cruyff. He taught us that the best way to play sports is to enjoy it and try new things.

His ideas about football will continue to help players and coaches for many years. People will always remember Johan Cruyff as one of football's greatest players and thinkers.

Reading Comprehension Questions: Johan Cruyff

True or False Questions
Mark these sentences as True (T) or False (F):
1. Johan Cruyff was born in Barcelona.
2. His father had a fruit shop near Ajax stadium.
3. He played for Ajax when he was 25 years old.
4. He helped create "Total Football."
5. His wife's name was Danny.
6. He wore the number 10 shirt.
7. He won the World Cup with the Netherlands.
8. He became a coach after playing football.
9. He started a foundation to help children.
10. He had four children.

Multiple Choice Questions
Choose the best answer (a, b, c, or d):

1. How old was Johan when his father died?
a) 10 years old
b) 11 years old
c) 12 years old
d) 13 years old

2. What did Johan's mother do at Ajax?
a) She was a cook
b) She was a cleaner
c) She was a secretary
d) She was a coach

3. When did Johan play his first game for Ajax?
a) When he was 15
b) When he was 16
c) When he was 17
d) When he was 18

4. How many European Cups did he win with Ajax?
a) One
b) Two
c) Three
d) Four

5. What was the name of Barcelona's young players' school?
a) La Casa
b) La Mesa
c) La Masia
d) La Scala

Fill in the Blanks
Complete these sentences using information from the article:

1. Johan Cruyff was born on ________ in Amsterdam.
2. He scored ________ goals for the Netherlands national team.
3. The special move he created was called the ________.
4. He won the ________ (best player in Europe) three times.
5. He started the Johan Cruyff ________ in 1997.

Short Answer Questions
Write short answers to these questions:

1. What jobs did young Johan do at Ajax?
2. What is "Total Football"?
3. Why did Johan name his son Jordi?
4. What did Johan do after he stopped playing football?
5. How did his foundation help children?

Matching Exercise
Match the words with their meanings:

1. Legacy a) Very smart
2. Coach b) Different and better than normal
3. Special c) Someone who teaches sports
4. Clever d) The good things people remember about you
5. Beautiful e) Very nice to look at

Order the Events
Put these events in order (1-5) as they happened in Johan's life:

___ He started his foundation
___ He played his first game for Ajax
___ He moved to Barcelona
___ He was born in Amsterdam
___ He became a coach

Discussion Questions
Think about these questions and share your ideas:

1. Why do you think Johan Cruyff was special as a football player?
2. How did he help make football better?
3. Which of Johan's ideas about football do you like best?
4. Why do people still remember Johan Cruyff today?
5. What can young football players learn from Johan Cruyff?