Take care of Cruyff's legend, everything began with him

A genius has left us. The biggest genius in the history of football. The man who changed Barcelona’s history. There is a before and after the 28th day in October, 1973.  That afternoon, Johan Cruyff made his debut as a Barça player. And, since then, Barça has become another Barça. A Barça which has been capable of becoming the best club in the world thanks to the football taught to them by a Dutchman who became a cule. 

The story of Cruyff the player and the story of Cruyff the manager are very different. As a player we remember that league (the only one) he won dressed in blaugrana. We remember the 0-5 win a Madrid. We all remember that side: Sadurní, Rifé, Torres, Costa, De la Cruz, Juan Carlos, Rexach, Asensi, Cruyff, Sotily, Marcial. 

As manager, of course, we remember the Dream Team. And the first Champions League. The European Cup at Wembley. We remember his famous phrase: “Go out and enjoy it.” And we remember his connection with the great Reach. And the wonderful football we saw. And the titles. And, also, the heart bypass surgery. And, of course, his fights with Nunez. And then his departure from the club. 

Barça post-Cruyff was a disaster, until Cruyff returned. And he returned with Laporta. And with Txiki Begiristain. And with Rijkaard as the coach - and Guardiola afterwards. Cruyff brought the smile back to watching Barça, our Barça, recovering the football supremacy which had been lost. This Cruyff will stay with us for ever. Because Cruyff was above any player, manager or president… 

Cruyff has left us. The genius has left us. But his legend is immortal. And I only ask that we take care of it. Forever. Because with Cruyff, everything began…