Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata has paid tribute to Johan Cruyff – labelling the previous Netherlands, Ajax and Barcelona first rate at “the ideological father of soccer”.
Cruyff died on Thursday, aged 68, following a struggle with lung cancer.
Severa heat tributes have been paid to the man who also coached Barcelona’s famous “Dream group” from 1988 to 1996, and Mata took the possibility to reflect on Cruyff’s tremendous footballing legacy in his weekly weblog for Kicca.
Watch :- Johan Cruyff Dies After Cancer Battle
“I consider him the ideological father of the football; the one I try to play like and the one I look to analyze from as a spectator every time I watch a recreation,” the Spain international wrote.
“The sensible use of the ball and the areas, the importance of talent over the physical condition and the knowledge of football as a group game are concepts that I sincerely propose.
“besides, I think that the idea of attacking and taking the initiative of the in shape [goes] very well with the philosophy and greatness of Manchester United, wherein his son Jordi played.
“It’s a brilliant loss however we can always have his legacy. He became the game.”