Cruyff claims kidnap attempt forced him out of World Cup

Former Dutch soccer star Johan Cruyff claims a kidnap attempt, in which he says a rifle was held to his head, played a part in his decision to skip the 1978 World Cup.

Cruyff said the incident occurred the previous year, when he was nearing the end of a five-year stint with FC Barcelona.

β€œTo play a World Cup you have to be 200 percent,” Cruyff told Catalunya Radio on Tuesday. β€œI had a rifle at my head, I was tied up, my wife tied up, the children were in the apartment in Barcelona. There are moments when there are other values in life.”

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