The 68 year old, who played for the Netherlands international team during the 1960s and 1970s and won a World Cup runners-up medal in 1974, was given the diagnosis on Tuesday (20Oct15) and is still undergoing tests in a Spanish hospital to determine the extent of the illness.

A statement posted on his website reads, "Over the past weeks, Johan Cruyff has been undergoing medical examinations at a hospital in Barcelona. During these examinations, lung cancer has been uncovered. The examinations are still ongoing.

"To respect the privacy of Johan and his family, and the fact that the examinations have not been finalised, further announcements cannot be made at the moment."

Cruyff, who smoked heavily during his soccer career, joined Dutch team Ajax in 1964 before moving to FC Barcelona in 1973. He retired from playing in 1984 and went on to manage both teams. In 1999, he was named European Player of the Century.

He underwent double heart bypass surgery in 1991.