The Dutch legend Johan Cruyff has lung cancer, his spokeswoman has confirmed.
“He has been in hospital this week for tests and lung cancer has been confirmed,” said Carole Thate.
The 68-year-old, who won three successive European Cups with Ajax before going on to play for and manage Barcelona, was diagnosed on Tuesday, it was reported on the Spanish radio station RAC1 and the Catalan newspaper Mundo Deportivo on Thursday morning.
Cruyff is said to be currently undergoing tests to try to discover the extent of the disease. Formerly a heavy smoker, he had double heart bypass surgery in 1991 while he was still in charge of Barcelona, a role he eventually left in 1996.
Barça’s vice-president Susana Monje, who was giving a financial presentation on Thursday, sent a message of support from the club.
“We have had contact with his manager Carole Thate and she confirmed to us that Johan indeed has lung cancer,” read a statement from Ajax director and former goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar.
“On behalf of the club I wish Johan and his family a lot of strength and a speedy recovery. “
Source The Guardian