Johan Cruyff Legace 2016 – 2026 (AJAX)

Many people know Johan Cruyff as the greatest soccer player the Netherlands has ever known. Off the field, too, he was a true pioneer—not only in soccer, but also in education and social issues. Johan Cruyff passed away in 2016. Now, 10 years later, the Netherlands is reflecting on the rich legacy he left behind, including a documentary and an exclusive exhibition at the Moco Museum. The Royal Dutch Mint honors his legacy with a special issue in a coincard.

Johan Cruyff (1947–2016)

Johan Cruyff was born on April 25, 1947, in Amsterdam. Exactly ten years later, he joined the Ajax youth team. Seven years later, on November 15, 1964, he made his debut for Ajax 1, where he became the undisputed star. The forward was best known for his game intelligence, technique, and speed of execution. In 1971, he was named European Footballer of the Year for the first time. After his playing career, he began coaching, first at Ajax and then at FC Barcelona. He retired as a coach in 1996 and founded the Cruyff