AC Milan legend Gianni Rivera was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Johan Cruyff after his fight with cancer.
The two greats met just once on the pitch at the 1969 European Cup final where the Rossoneri beat Ajax 4-1 in Madrid.
“It’s news that really saddens me, another great has left us,” said Rivera to the Corriere dello Sport.
“We are talking about a champion who changed everything for us in football with his Netherlands team and he will always be fondly remembered by everyone who loves the sport for this.
“He was certainly one of the greatest and he had unique abilities. I only had to come up against him once to realise that he was a great champion.”
The current Member of the European Parliament also expressed a belief that any image of the late Dutchman would be suitable for his legacy.
“Any photo of him could be used, he knew how to do everything well so any picture of him playing would show him properly.”
