Johan Cruyff’s footballing spirit continues to influence modern football, especially Barcelona. This was affirmed by British director Sam Blair, creator of the documentary series “Cruyff”, which has been submitted to the Cannes series film festival.
Blair said his spirit and ideas “keep alive” thanks to players such as Manchester City manager Josep Guardiola, Lamine Yamal and Pedri Gonzlez.
Barcelona are already starting to feel that the La Liga title is within reach
Cruyff’s legacy lives on
Johan Cruyff (1947-2016) is considered one of the most influential figures in the history of football, leaving his mark as a coach both on and off the field, where he moved fluidly and involved the entire team.
And when it comes to the latter, the person who “best understands” this style of play today is Guardiola, who he described as “his number one disciple”:
“If you want to see Cruyff, his spirit and his ideas that are still alive, the first person you look at is Guardiola,” he explained via Mundo Deportivo.
Meanwhile, on the field, that legacy is also reflected in the talents of young Roses like Lamine Yamal and Pedri. According to Blair, both players embody the essential characteristics of Cruyff’s style, with quick thinking, refined technique and a natural reading and understanding of the game.
“The way[Lamine Yamal]handles the ball is very similar to Cruyff. He passes with the outside of his foot, has that speed and a very natural feel,” he added, underscoring that Pedri is very “technical and intelligent” despite being “light on his feet”.
Blair also cited Xavi Herndez as one of the people who best interpreted and communicated these ideas within the club, reinforcing the continuity of the era-defining style.
Meanwhile, ‘Cruyff’ will compete against four other international productions for the award for Best Documentary Series this Tuesday. It consists of four one-hour episodes and includes previously unpublished material (such as audio recordings of the last days of Cruyff’s life) and testimonies from people close to Cruyff. The work aims to depict not only the Dutch icon’s career as a player and coach, but also the cultural aspects of his legacy that continue to influence modern football.
So, beyond the passage of time and the fact that his name has become famous again thanks to this series, the message is clear. “Cruyffism” is not just history, but a philosophy that continues to evolve in the field, and new generations keep its essence alive.
