"We have lost a great man. May we carry on his example of excellence. Johan Cruyff was a great player and coach. He leaves a very important legacy for our family of football."

- Brazilian legend Pele

"We will never forget you, skinny."

- Argentine soccer legend Diego Maradona.

"I've lost a friend, the world has lost a great man. I admired him, he was the best player of all time."

- Former French great Michel Platini on Cruyff, who like himself was a three-time winner of the Ballon d'Or award.

"He was one of the greatest footballers I have ever seen, you would put him in the same class as Pele, (Alfredo) di Stefano and (Diego) Maradona. The kind of football he played changed the game and still has an impact today."

- England hero Bobby Charlton remembering Cruyff as one of the finest players to grace the pitch.

"A sad day. A legend and key person for Barca and football departs. My deepest condolences to the family."

- Barcelona and Spain midfielder Andres Iniesta, a product of the world renowned La Masia academy that was the brainchild of Cruyff.

"Johan Cruyff gave football a unique touch that some try to copy. I'm very moved. He was an extraordinary personality who, along with Rinus Michels, kicked off total football."

- Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter.

"My first coach overseas, one of the best coaches I ever had. A very important man in my career. We had a great loss"

- Former Barcelona and Portugal star Luis Figo.

"As a player, as a coach, you changed the history of our club. Thank you, Johan."

- Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu.

"He enriched football and gave it a new face. He was a Dutch icon. Johan Cruyff belonged to all of us."

- King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands.

"Johan Cruyff was the greatest European player in history. He and Bobby Charlton impressed me most in my career. They were inventive and leaders on the pitch. Cruyff had great charisma and speed."

- Former Real Madrid and England coach Fabio Capello.

"A genius has left us and when a genius leaves us we are left with a feeling of emptiness."

- Fernando Santos, coach of the Portugal national team.

(China Daily 03/26/2016 page12)