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Barca great Cruyff diagnosed with lung cancer

Xinhua, October 22, 2015 Adjust font size:

Former FC Barcelona coach Johan Cruyff is suffering from lung cancer, it was confirmed on Thursday.

The 68-year-old, was diagnosed with the disease on Tuesday, with the news confirmed by Catalunya Radio and RAC1 48 hours later.

Cruyff, who began his career with Dutch side Ajax, is considered one of the all-time great football players and his name will forever be linked with that side and Barcelona, who he played for between 1973 and 1978.

He returned as Barca coach in 1988, forming what became known as the 'Dream Team' and leading the club to its first European Cup in 1992.

One year earlier, Cruyff, who had been a heavy smoker, underwent a double heart bypass operation and subsequently stopped smoking, swapping his cigarette in the dugout, for a 'chupa-chupps' lollipop, giving the brand a subsequent boost into the bargain.

He was also the brains behind the famous 'Masia' which forms the basis of Barcelona's youth system, which has produced players such as Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta and Leo Messi.

Cruyff was sacked as Barca coach in 1996, but has always maintained close links to the club, especially with former President Joan Laporta. Endi