The Netherlands national team will echo Feyenoord’s fitting tribute to Johan Cruyff when they stop their friendly against France on Friday night in the 14th minute to applaud the former footballer, who died on Thursday after a “hard fought battle with cancer”.

As well as pausing the game in Amsterdam, the Dutch Football Association [KNVB] has announced that they will rename the Amsterdam Arena after Cruyff in tribute to the former Feyenoord, Ajax and Barcelona star, who also proved himself as a successful coach once he hung up his boots.

Speaking after the tragic news of Cruyff’s passing was revealed on his official website by his family, the KNVB president, Michael van Praag, said: "I can't wait for the moment when we rename our stadium the Johan Cruyff Arena. It's the best tribute we can pay him."

Feyenoord paid tribute to Cruyff by holding a minute’s silence before their friendly against Sparta Rotterdam on Thursday, before halting the game for a moment of applause in the 14th minute to recognise the Dutch legend’s shirt number.

Feyenoord, with whom Cruyff won a league and cup double in 1983/84, added a message on their website that read: "Feyenoord shares in this great loss and the club offers its sincerest condolences to Johan Cruyff's family."

Johan Cruyff - life in pictures Show all 12 1 /12 Johan Cruyff - life in pictures Johan Cruyff - life in pictures Unrivalled success at Ajax After joining the Ajax youth system on his 10th birthday, Johan Cruyff made his debut in 1964 before going on to win eight Eredivisie titles and the European Cup on three occasions with the Dutch giants Getty Images Johan Cruyff - life in pictures Setting the European agenda Cruyff was an integral figure behind Ajax’s dominance in continental football as the Dutch outfit lifted three consecutive European Cups between 1971-73. Getty Images Johan Cruyff - life in pictures Reaching the World Cup final The forward’s colourful exploits allowed the Netherlands to reach the World Cup final in 1974 but he couldn’t help see off an imperious Germany side at Munich's Olympic Stadium. He scored 33 goals for Oranje in 48 appearances between 1966-1977. Getty Images Johan Cruyff - life in pictures Dutch royal approval Cruyff and his fellow team-mates nonetheless earned legendary status among the wider Dutch public and they were given a heroes’ welcome by Queen Juliana of the Netherlands when they returned home in 1974. Getty Images Johan Cruyff - life in pictures The ‘Cruyff turn’ Now a global superstar, the enigmatic forward wrote himself into football folklore after perfecting the ‘Cruyff turn’ which is still being copied by modern day footballers today. Getty Images Johan Cruyff - life in pictures Success across the globe Before being voted as European Player of the Century, Cruyff also represented Barcelona, Los Angeles Aztecs, Washington Diplomats, Levante and Feyenoord. At the Nou Camp, he added La Liga and Copa del Rey triumphs to his glittering CV. Getty Images Johan Cruyff - life in pictures Trying his hand at management Just a year after retiring from playing, Cruyff returned to Ajax as manager where his unyielding success continued with two KNVB Cups and the Uefa Cup Winners’ Cup before leaving to take charge at Spanish juggernauts Barcelona. Getty Images Johan Cruyff - life in pictures Revolution at Barcelona Cruyff led a period of revolution at the Catalan giants, lifting four La Liga titles and one European Cup as rivals Real Madrid were muzzled both domestically and on the European stage by his Barca side. Getty Images Johan Cruyff - life in pictures Becoming a TV personality Fresh from his spell at the Nou Camp, Cruyff then became a prominent television personality, providing his unrivalled experience to Dutch audiences. Getty Images Johan Cruyff - life in pictures Stripped of honorary presidency Cruyff was a controversial figure at Barcelona, however, and was named honorary president before being stripped of the title just months later after new president Sandro Rosell took office in July 2010. Getty Images Johan Cruyff - life in pictures Ajax return Ajax called upon Cruyff’s services again in 2011, appointing him as an advisor, but the Amsterdam legend left just a year later after quelling with senior figures at the club. Getty Images Johan Cruyff - life in pictures Legacy in football Cruyff remained a prominent figure in the world of football and was given the support of Barcelona's current generation when news of his deteriorating health was made public in 2015. Getty Images

It was with Ajax though where Cruyff would enjoy his most successful period as well as master the art of ‘Total Football’, the prominent style of Dutch ability and flair that rose to prominence during Cruyff’s era.

Cruyff won eight Dutch league titles with Ajax as well as three successive European Cups, before moving to Barcelona where he added the Primera Division. He returned to Catalonia after retiring from the game, and won four league titles as head coach , adding another European Cup success in the process.