Jordi Cruyff

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Jordi Cruyff
Personal information
Full name Jordi Cruijff
Date of birth February 9, 1974 (1974-02-09) (age 34)
Place of birth    Amsterdam, Netherlands
Playing position Midfielder
Club information
Current club Metalurh Donetsk
Number 77
Youth clubs
1981–1988
1988–1992		 AFC Ajax
FC Barcelona C
Senior clubs1
Years Club App (Gls)*
1992–1995
1994–1996
1996–2000
1999
2000–2003
2003–2004
2004–2006
2006–		 FC Barcelona B
FC Barcelona
Manchester United
→ Celta Vigo (loan)
Deportivo Alavés
RCD Espanyol
FC Barcelona B
Metalurh Donetsk
Total		 051 0(16)
041 0(11)
034 00(7)
008 00(1)
094 00(7)
030 00(3)
00? 00(?)
028 00(0)
271 0(45)   
National team2
1995–2004
1996		 Catalonia
Netherlands		 009 00(2)
009 00(1)

1 Senior club appearances and goals
counted for the domestic league only and
correct as of 17:49, 21 June 2007 (UTC).
2 National team caps and goals correct
as of 17:49, 21 June 2007 (UTC).
* Appearances (Goals)

Jordi Cruyff, officially spelled Jordi Cruijff in the Netherlands, (born February 9, 1974 in Amsterdam) often referred to as just Jordi, is a Dutch/Spanish footballer who plays for Metalurh Donetsk. He previously played for FC Barcelona, Manchester United, Celta de Vigo, Deportivo Alavés and RCD Espanyol. As an international he has played for both the Catalan XI and the Netherlands. He is the son of Johan Cruijff.

Contents

[edit] Life and work

[edit] Early life

Although born in Amsterdam, Jordi spent his early life in Catalonia where his father was playing for FC Barcelona. He was allegedly named after Sant Jordi, the patron saint of Catalonia. It must be noted that in the same year Jordi was born, Johan's club restored the original Catalan form of its name, Futbol Club Barcelona, after being forced to use the Spanish Club de Fútbol Barcelona for several decades, indicating that by that time, language policy had relaxed to some degree. In 1981 the Cruijff family returned to the Netherlands. His father introduced Jordi to football from an early age, taking him to watch Ajax Amsterdam and encouraging him to join the Ajax youth training scheme at the age of seven. In 1988 when Jordi was fourteen, Johan Cruijff returned to FC Barcelona as manager and Cruijff junior followed him.

[edit] FC Barcelona

In 1992 Jordi made his debut for FC Barcelona B in the Segunda División. Two years later he made his debut for the senior team during a pre-season tour in the Netherlands, scoring hat-tricks against FC Groningen and De Graafschap. On September 4 1994 his father gave him his Primera Division debut in a 2-1 defeat away to Sporting Gijón. On November 2 he played against Manchester United in the Champions League and Jordi set up the first goal for Hristo Stoichkov as FC Barcelona won 4-0.

However, despite a positive start, Jordi’s time at FC Barcelona effectively came to an end when his father was sacked by Josep Lluís Nuñez. On May 19, 1996 he played his last game for the club against Celta de Vigo at Camp Nou. Jordi inspired Barça to come back from 2-0 down to eventually win 3-2.

[edit] Manchester United

In August 1996 Jordi signed for Manchester United for a fee of £1.4 million. He made debut on August 17 in a 3-0 win over Wimbledon, the opening fixture of the 1996/97 season and a game noted for David Beckham scoring from his own half. Cruyff then scored on his next two appearances, helping United to 2-2 draws against Everton and Blackburn Rovers. Despite missing much of the second half of the season due to a knee injury, he returned towards the end to help United clinch the Premiership title. An ankle injury in 1998 limited the amount of appearances he made and saw him lose his place in the team. In January 1999 he went on loan to Celta de Vigo and as a result missed out on Manchester United completing the treble. Jordi rejoined United for the 1999/2000 season and helped them win the Premiership once again. However he failed to establish himself as a first team regular and played his final game for the club on May 14 2000.

[edit] Return to Spain and final years

On leaving United, Jordi returned to Spain and signed for Deportivo Alavés. While at Alavés he helped them reach the final of the UEFA Cup, playing his part in an epic match against Liverpool. Despite being 2-0 and then 3-1 down, Alavés embarked on a spirited comeback and Jordi’s goal in the 89th minute took the game to 4-4. However an own goal in extra time saw Liverpool lift the cup. Jordi continued to play for Alavés until then they were relegated at the end of the 2002-03 season. The following season he returned to Barcelona and joined RCD Espanyol. Upon his departure from Español a return to England was mooted when Cruyff had a trial with Bolton Wanderers but Trotters manager Sam Allardyce decided against signing the Dutchman despite him having impressed in friendly matches. From 2004 to 2006, he was semi-retired, keeping fit with Barcelona's B squad and playing in some veteran matches. As for 2007-2008 season he still plays in Ukraine, with Metalurh Donetsk. He entered the fashion business, helping develop the Cruyff clothing brand.

[edit] International career

Jordi has played as an international for both the Catalan XI and the Netherlands. He scored on his debut for the Catalan XI in a 5-2 win over FC Barcelona at the Nou Estadi on June 25 1995. He also scored in a 5-0 win over Lithuania on December 22 2000 at Camp Nou. Altogether, Jordi has played 9 times for the Catalan XI, including two games against Brazil in 2002 and 2004.

His performances for FC Barcelona also persuaded Guus Hiddink to include him in the Netherlands team for Euro 96. Jordi subsequently made his debut for the Netherlands in a 2-0 defeat in a friendly against Germany on April 24 1996. During Euro 96, in a 2-0 win against Switzerland on June 13 at Villa Park, he scored his only goal for the Netherlands.

[edit] Honours

FC Barcelona

Manchester United

Deportivo Alavés

[edit] Sources

  • Barça: A People’s Passion (1998), Jimmy Burns. [1]

[edit] External links