Johann Cryuff Missed 1978 World Cup Because Family Was Almost Kidnapped

In a stunning new revelation, Barcelona talisman and Dutch great Johan Cryuff claimed he missed the 1978 World Cup because his family was under siege by assailants with rifles and durable rope. Previous reports maintained that Cruyff was boycotting the Argentine games because a junta had overtaken the country two years prior. Rifles, junta, boycott? What is this a freakin’ Rambo movie?

Cruyff told Radio Cataluyna that the attempt occurred in Barcelona in 1977. “I had a rifle at my head, I was tied up, my wife tied up, the children were in the apartment in Barcelona,” he said.

The former player did not explain how the ordeal ended, but said his house was placed under police protection for the next four months and that guards thereafter accompanied his children to and from school. He said concern for his family meant he did not feel able to help Holland at the World Cup.

Rifles will do that. You know what else instills fear like that in us? Carnies. Little circus people have always freaked us out.
Kidnappers made Cruyff miss World Cup [Guardian]
Image [Getty]