Johan Cruijff NDSM Wharf Amsterdam 

Johan Cruijff now watches over Amsterdam North. Roy Valk / Karski completed his mural at NDSM Foundation wharf, where Eberhard van der Laan previously stood. Wood rot made the previous artwork irreparable. Loss that creates space for new stories.

Karski didn't choose Cruijff randomly. Since his teens, he has maintained strong ties with Catalonia through his 'Catalan second mother' - his best friend's mother who works for FC Barcelona. "Johan Cruijff connects Amsterdam and Barcelona in a unique way," Karski explains. From Betondorp to Ajax to Camp Nou. Personal connection makes the artwork authentic.

"He transformed football with his vision, I try to do that with my art." STRAAT and IJver Amsterdam commissioned this permanent artwork. An investment in culture that touches the community. Murals that function as storytellers, not just decoration.

NDSM wharf has a new eye-catcher. Cruijff's legacy lives on in paint, vision and personal stories.

Photo by: Alphons Nieuwenhuis

This impressive mural of Johan Cruijff at NDSM wharf in Amsterdam North marks a significant moment in Dutch street art. The artwork, created by Roy Valk (Karski), replaces the earlier portrait of Eberhard van der Laan that was irreparably damaged by wood rot.

The choice of Johan Cruijff as subject is deeply personal. Karski's connection to Catalonia, formed through his "Catalan second mother" - his best friend's mother who works at FC Barcelona - inspired this project. This connection symbolizes the unique bond between Amsterdam and Barcelona that Cruijff embodied throughout his career.

The artwork functions as a community storyteller, demonstrating how public art contributes to a neighborhood's cultural identity. NDSM wharf, renowned for its industrial heritage and artistic transformation, provides the perfect backdrop for this tribute to the football legend.

Commissioned by STRAAT and IJver Amsterdam, this permanent artwork represents an investment in local culture. The project emphasizes how murals function beyond decoration - they tell stories and connect generations. Cruijff's philosophy of innovation and vision translates into contemporary street art, where personal narratives and collective memories converge in one powerful image.

The timing is particularly meaningful, as the replacement of one cultural figure with another demonstrates the dynamic nature of public art spaces. The NDSM area continues to evolve as a cultural hub, where industrial history meets contemporary artistic expression. This mural stands as testament to how street art preserves and celebrates cultural icons while creating new dialogues within urban communities.

Do you have a company and do you want to generate more attention for your company with your facade or wall? Call or email us today. We will gladly tell you what the possibilities are to realize a mural for you.