Johan Cruyff‘s footballing spirit remains relevant in modern soccer, especially at Barcelona. This was affirmed by British director Sam Blair, creator of the documentary series “Cruyff,” which is competing at the Canneseries festival.
According to Blair, “his spirit and ideas live on” thanks to Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola and players like Lamine Yamal and Pedri González.
Cruyff’s legacy lives on
Johan Cruyff (1947-2016) is considered one of the most influential figures in soccer history, leaving his mark not only on the field-where he moved with fluidity and involved the entire team-but also off the field, as a coach.
And in this latter regard, the person who “best understands” this style of play today is Guardiola, whom he described as “his number one disciple”:
“If you want to see Cruyff, his spirit, and his ideas alive today, the first place you look is at Guardiola,” he explained, via Mundo Deportivo.
Meanwhile, on the field, that legacy is also reflected in young Barça talents like Lamine Yamal and Pedri. According to Blair, both embody essential traits of Cruyff’s style, possessing quick thinking, refined technique, and a natural reading and understanding of the game:
“The way [Lamine Yamal] moves with the ball is very similar to Cruyff’s; he makes his passes with the outside of his foot and has that speed and that sense of perception that comes very naturally,” he added, while highlighting Pedri for being very “technical and intelligent” despite being “light on his feet.”
Blair also mentioned Xavi Hernández as one of the figures who has best interpreted and conveyed these ideas within the club, reinforcing the continuity of a style that defined an era.
Meanwhile, “Cruyff” will compete this Tuesday against four other international productions for the award for best documentary series. It consists of four one-hour episodes and includes previously unseen material-such as audio recordings from the final days of Cruyff’s life-and testimonies from figures close to him. The production aims to portray not only the Dutch icon’s career as a player and coach, but also the cultural dimension of his legacy that continues to influence modern soccer.
Thus, beyond the passage of time and the fact that his name has regained prominence thanks to this series, the message is clear: “Cruyffism” is not just history, but a philosophy that continues to evolve on the field, with new generations keeping its essence alive.
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