The President's Award is presented every year to a former football star who has contributed immensely through their career to the develoment and success of football in Europe and outside.
Johan Cruyff, will be joining a list of former winners of European footballer of the year, who have received the award.
The list includes stars such as Sir Bobby Charlton, Alfrdo Di Stefano, Kopa Raymond, Eusebio, Gianni Rivera and Franz Beckenbauer.
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| Michel Platini with Johan Cruiff |
Regarding the award to the Dutch legend, the President of Uefa, Mr Platini, said in their media release, "It is a great privilege for me to present the UEFA President's Award to Johan Cruyff, one of the truly great footballers and ambassadors for the game.''
''First as a player and then as a coach, Johan Cruyff was committed to entertaining the public with his own unique brand of football.
''A phenomenal footballer who enthralled fans across the world with his grace and style, football has been his life, from his early years with AFC Ajax to his later success with FC Barcelona and his memorable contributions to Dutch national team,'' Mr Platini said.
''Johan Cruyff's social conscience is today reflected in the education of athletes, through the Cruyff Institute and numerous projects adopted by his own foundation, across the world for poor and disabled children - using football as a means of improving their lives,'' he added.
On his own part, when Cruyff got the message that he will be honoured with award on Sunday, the 16th of February, he said:
''It is a great honour for me to receive this award and to be part of this illustrous list of names.
''I would like to share this recognition with all the people I have worked with, and am still working with, who love the game of football and are willing to invest time and energy in making it better.''
''Not only the game itself, but also the organisation around it, and the important role that football has in society,'' Johan Cruyff, said.
Johan hanged up his boots in 1984 after a highly successful playing career, which saw him win numerous titles with clubs and on individual level.
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He then became coach to two of the clubs, that made him a world class footballer. He first became the coach of his home town club where he made a name for himself - AFC Ajax. He became successful and won Dutch titles with the club.
He then moved to FC Barcelona as a coach and won many domestic titles with the club and also winning in 1992 the club's first Champions League title. His last coaching job was as the coach of the Catalonia, (2009 - 2013).
His son Jordi Cruyff is a retired professional footballer, who has played for a number of clubs including FC Barcelona under his father and Manchester United. Jordi Johan Cruyff is currently the General Manager of the Isreali club Maccabi Tel Aviv. Like his father Jordi played for Dutch national team the (De Oranje) also.
Johan Cruyff has been involved in football and football related activities throughout his life. His foundation is doing a wonderful job in helping the poor and needy.
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