Johan Cruyff has passed away.

The Dutch football legend has passed away at the age of 68 due to lung cancer.

"On March 24, 2016, Johan Cruyff, 68, passed away peacefully in Barcelona, ​​surrounded by his family after a courageous battle with cancer. During this time of grief, we ask that everyone respect the family's privacy," read a statement on the football legend's official website.

Cruyff is the biggest name in Dutch football and one of the few most influential figures in the history of modern world football.

Cruyff is gone, but he has left a great legacy for the world of football through the football philosophy he pursued. Photo: Guardian.

As a player, he was the brightest star in world football in the 1970s. Cruyff inspired Ajax to win three consecutive European Cups from 1971 to 1973, and was honored with three European Ballon d'Or awards in 1971, 1973, and 1974.

In 1973, he joined Barca for a transfer fee of two million dollars – a world record at the time. In his very first season with the club, Cruyff helped the Catalan club win the La Liga title, ending a 15-year title drought.

Barca was also where Cruyff achieved his greatest success as a coach later on, when he led them to four consecutive La Liga titles (1991-1994) and their first ever European Cup victory – the top club competition in Europe – in 1992.

Cruyff was also the leader of the great Netherlands national team, reaching the 1974 World Cup final, where the Orange team showcased impressive total football, while he himself captivated audiences with his skillful ball control and beautiful feints.

Cruyff (in the orange shirt) and the Netherlands lost 1-2 to Germany in the 1974 World Cup final, but he always proudly said that it was the tournament where "the Netherlands were most loved," and that was more valuable than the gold trophy itself.

Cruyff became a heavy smoker after transitioning to coaching, and underwent heart surgery for a heart attack in 1991.

Six months ago, the football legend announced he had lung cancer, but at the same time affirmed he would not surrender to fate. Just this past February, Cruyff said he felt "2-0 up" in the battle against the terrible disease. The then 68-year-old legend was also optimistic, "confident of victory."

Cruyff is gone, but the football philosophy he left behind is a great legacy for the world of football. Cruyff wasn't the father of total football, but during his playing career, he was the one who realized the ideas of this style of football from his great mentor, Rinus Michels, on the pitch.

When Cruyff transitioned to coaching, he elevated totaalvoetbal into a philosophy, an ideology that illuminated football for years to come, with the resounding success of outstanding pupils such as Frank Rijkaard, Pep Guardiola, and Luis Enrique.

Cruyff was the first player in history to win three Ballon d'Or awards.

Lionel Messi, one of the biggest names in contemporary football, expressed his condolences on the passing of Cruyff. "Rest in peace, Johan Cruyff. Your legacy lives on," the five-time Ballon d'Or winner wrote on Twitter.

Belgium and Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany expressed: "Johan Cruyff was an absolute devotee of football. I don't think anyone else has had as much influence on football as he did. His beliefs and vision inspired us all. Football will miss him, but we will never forget him."

According to VNE