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The passing of Hendrik Johannes “Johan” Cruyff – popularly known just as Johan Cruyff in football circles – made me appreciate once more why we love this game so much.
You see, Cruyff was one of those players who could make a soccer ball sing and do whatever he wanted it to do.
He is in the same mould as Brazilian legend Edson Arantes do Nascimento, AKA Pelé, who christened soccer The Beautiful Game.
Besides his wizardry on the field – Cruyff – who was part of that 1970s Dutch national team known for its unique style of “total football” – also proved to possess the gift of the gab.
Among some of his famous quips were: “Soccer is simple, but it is difficult to play simple.” He also once said: “Every disadvantage has its advantage.” And: “You have got to shoot, otherwise you can’t score.”
After an illustrious career with Ajax Amsterdam and Barcelona that saw him win the Ballon d’Or (World Footballer of the Year) three times – in 1971, 1973 and 1974 – he went on to coach.
He dispelled the myth that great players never make great coaches, as he led Barcelona to their first European Cup victory in 1992 as well as four consecutive La Liga titles.
He took the positive attitude he had on the field to his fight with lung cancer.
Just a month ago, after some tests, he proclaimed: “I am 2-0 up against cancer.” However, it was not to be as he succumbed on Thursday at the age of 68.
In South African football lingo from yesteryear, a luminary such as Cruyff would have been termed “Modimo wa bolo”, a football god.
It is befitting that there is a skill named after the erstwhile Dutch skipper: the “Cruyff turn”, a signature move that is still famous.
His dribbling style has become part of the repository of generations of football wizards – from the days of Zinedine Zidane to our own icons Doctor “16V” Khumalo, the late John “Shoes” Moshoeu and Jabu “Shuffle” Pule (now Mahlangu).
From Pelé and Cruyff to the current generation of global stars, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar Jr and Thabo Rakhale, to mention but a few, these are individuals who make us appreciate just how beautiful this game is.
May Cruyff’s soul rest in peace.
Just as I was digesting his passing , I saw this tweet from @SAYoungLion: “Aces gave me a big money Rob. They gave me R200 000, four cheques. I’ll drive with R50 000 in my car – Lucas Tlhomelang @robertmarawa.”
It emerged that Robert Marawa had Tlhomelang as his guest on 083Sports@6 and the player had just confessed to travelling with R50 000 in his car at some stage.
A few weeks ago, we heard a former Mamelodi Sundowns player say, among other things, that he once went into a nightclub with a bundle of R10 000 in cash and left in the morning with just over R100 left.
One of the listeners, @Neza4real tweeted: “@robertmarawa Sometimes experiences these soccer player come to share on your show I wish can be documented for younger players for lessons.”
Indeed, some of the sordid stories Marawa has unearthed on his shows are quite heart-wrenching.
The SA Football Players’ Union has now forged a partnership with a financial services provider to assist the current crop of players to manage their finances better.
Clubs are also doing their bit.
However, given the number of players who still squander their fortunes, I think it is a matter of taking the horse to the river but being unable to force it to drink.
It really breaks one’s heart to see players who were once high fliers turned to beggars.
When are we going to reach a level where the majority of our players live comfortable lives after retiring from football?
There is a need for all those who swear by the game of the pigskin, from the national association, the professional wing, the followers and the community at large, to play a role in guiding these misguided youngsters.
Our shores are littered with once-gleaming diamonds that end up being ground to dust.
This must end!
Follow me on Twitter @Sbu_Mseleku
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