Pele remembers Johan Cruyff as the man who changed the way football was played
Brazil football legend Pele on Friday shared his memories of the late Johan Cruyff, who passed away on March 24 this year.
Cruyff, who was 68, died last month, succumbing to lung cancer, and Pele described him as a man who "changed football".
"There is no doubt to me that he was one of the players who changed the way to play football in Europe," Pele was quoted as saying by goal.com.
"As a player he made spectacular changes in Holland. In the national team he was fantastic. And then as a coach it was the same. He changed the way football was played in Spain and Barcelona."
In 1978 Cruyff played for New York Cosmos in guest matches and had come across Pele then.
"I had a chance to spend a little time with him in the United States when we had the tournament there with the New York Cosmos," Pele said.
"He was my friend. I hope God stays with him in a good place."