The Galatasaray midfielder has expressed his sadness at the passing of the former Netherlands icon, while Danny Blind has also paid tribute to the former Ajax star
Netherlands midfielder Wesley Sneijder has described the death of Dutch icon Johan Cruyff as a "black day".
Cruyff tragically passed away on Thursday at the age of 68, following a long battle with cancer.
Sneijder has expressed his sadness at Cruyff's death, and has also recalled the last time he saw the former Ajax and Barcelona forward.
"I've been able to know Johan Cruyff on a personal level," the Galatasaray midfielder said. "The last time I saw him was at the birthday of [former Netherlands international] Sjaak Swart.
"It's a black day. Yes, we played football together that day. It's a black day for everyone I think."
Netherlands coach Danny Blind says he spoke to his squad after learning of the news on Thursday, and he admits that he owed Cruyff plenty for giving him his chance at Ajax.
"He meant a lot for me of course. Johan is the one who took me to Ajax in 1986," he said.
"And that took my career in a rapid, or on a total other, level. And yes, that's why you have a certain feeling with someone."
- Goal