Barcelona remember Johan Cruyff on fifth anniversary of his death
The Dutch great passed away in 2016 and Laporta led tribute on Wednesday
Wednesday marks the fifth anniversary of the death of Johan Cruyff and Barcelona have paid tribute to one of the most important figures in the club's -- and world football's -- history.
Barça president Joan Laporta, Rafael Yuste, Elena Fort and Johan's daughter Susila Cruyff took part in a small event at Camp Nou to mark the occasion.
The group laid a bouquet of 14 red roses and a bouquet of tulips at the foot of the statue of the Dutch great outside Barca's famous stadium.
The sculpture of Cruyff, made of bronze, was inaugurated in August 2019 and is the work of Dutch artist Corry Ammerlaan van Niekerk.
“Johan has been the most important person in the modern history of FC Barcelona," Laporta said. "As a player, he turned football into art; he brought us the LaLiga title in 1973/74, with the 0-5 win at the Bernabéu that remains in the collective memory of Barça fans.
"Then, as coach, he won four LaLiga titles and the first Copa de España. He was the father of a philosophy that has carried us on the road to success, and was inspirational in the era in which Barça have become renowned worldwide. He will always live on in our memories."
Also present at the event were Jordi Casals, president of Barça B; and Enric Masip, former FC Barcelona handball player.
En @JohanCruyff ha estat la figura més important de la història moderna del @FCBarcelona. Sempre el tenim en el nostre record. Gràcies per tot i per tant, Johan. pic.twitter.com/6K8DdmySCE
— Joan Laporta Estruch🎗 (@JoanLaportaFCB) 24 de marzo de 2021
