Football world pays tribute to Dutch legend Johan Cruyff

Former Netherlands star Johan Cruyff died on Thursday after succumbing to lung cancer at the age of 68, and if the response on social media is any indication, his place in the pantheon of football's greatest has not been overlooked.

The chief of "Total Football," star of club sides Ajax and Barcelona, among others, and the proprietor of one of the sport's most sublime moves, the Cruyff Turn, the 48-time capped Dutch international's influence on football is as great as any footballer of his generation.

Peter Schmeichel: "One of the greatest players ever, a true giant in our game, he will be sadly missed."

Michel Platini: "Today football has lost one of its best ever players and ambassadors. I am very sad because Johan was my childhood hero, my idol and my friend. I will miss him dearly. My thoughts are with his family, and I send them my love."

Bobby Charlton: "He was one of those great, great footballers that made you excited whenever he got the ball and began to play. There was always expectation in the crowd when Johan was on the pitch. There wasn't a negative thought in his head. He loved the game, he loved sport and he loved life. He was one of the greatest footballers I have ever seen, you would put him in the same class as Pele, Di Stefano and Maradona. The kind of football he played changed the game and still has an impact today."

Gary Lineker: "Football has lost a man who did more to make the beautiful game beautiful than anyone in history."

Patrick Kluivert: "You were too great to ever be forgotten."

Ricardo Serna: "I'm very sad, hurt, crying. He was my idol when I was young and then I had the good fortune to later play for him, so today is a difficult day. It brings back so many memories. He made us, as players, and the club, so happy. This is a huge loss."

Lionel Messi: "Another legend has left us today."

Gianni Infantino: "One of the greatest players the world has ever known. A symbol of elegant play. An inspiration. A source of admiration for fans. He has marked football history forever."