Dutch football great Johan Cruyff dies at age 68

FILE – This is a July 7, 1974 file photo of Dutch forward Johan Cruyff, left, runs past German defender Paul Breitner, sitting on the pitch during the final of the Soccer World Cup at the Olympic Stadium in Munich, Germany. Dutch soccer great Johan Cruyff, who revolutionized the game with the concept of ‘Total Football,’ died Thursday March 24, 2016. He was 68. AP Photo

AMSTERDAM — Dutch football great Johan Cruyff, who revolutionized the game with the concept of ‘Total Football,’ has died. He was 68.

Family spokeswoman Carole Thate confirmed to The Associated Press that Cruyff had died. Joaquin Munoz of the Cruyff Foundation in Barcelona said he died as a result of lung cancer.

The three-time European player of year won three European championships with Ajax and one with Barcelona as a coach.

The world-record transfer fee Barcelona paid for Cruyff in 1973 was a milestone in the commercialization of sport.

His instinctive genius for how a move would develop earned him the label “Pythagorus in boots.” AC