Max Verstappen lived a strange moment in March 2016. In the middle of the pre-season testing of Formula 1, the Dutch driver, before his second campaign in the ‘Great Circus’ and at the age of only 18, was surprised by a massive and unexpected visit. That in an idol and national icon in the Netherlands, like a legend Johan Cruyff. The accomplished former player and coach wants to be closer to the Circuit despite battling lung cancer. And just 22 days later, Johan died.
Verstappen He recalled that moment in an exclusive interview with MD at F1 Hungarian GP this weekend at Red Bull team hospitality. What he said to her at that moment holds a very special place in her memory.
“Cruyff was an inspiration for me. I met him in 2016. He came to the track, to the Circuit, in Barcelona. At that time, he was sick. So, of course, after what happened, you think about that moment more more. You know? When someone’s not feeling well and takes the time to visit you at the Circuit during pre-season testing… it’s incredible.”argued with MD.
“And I will never forget what Cruyff told me. He always likes to use these kinds of phrases, you know… He told me: “I was losing 2-1 at half-time (in reference to his illness ), but I will win the game. He was always very motivated and always believed that he could overcome it. Johan was someone very inspiring and of course I also hoped that he could overcome it. But, unfortunately, that is not the case,” he concluded, excited to receive from MD the shirt in which Cruyff won the 1992 European Cup as coach at Wembley with Koeman’s goalorange, the same color that Johan and Max recognize.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
