AFC Ajax was founded on 18 March 1900 in Amsterdam, named after the Greek mythological hero. The club's iconic red-and-white sash and Ajax-of-Salamis emblem (added 1928) date to the early decades. Ajax moved from the historic De Meer Stadion to the new Amsterdam Arena (now the Johan Cruyff Arena, in honour of the legendary player and philosopher) in 1996, capacity 55,500.
Ajax's golden era of "Total Football" (Totaalvoetbal) under Rinus Michels (1965-1971) and Ștefan Kovács (1971-1974) revolutionised football. The system, in which any player could play any position, was embodied by Johan Cruyff (three-time Ballon d'Or winner), Johan Neeskens, Piet Keizer and goalkeeper Heinz Stuy. Ajax won three consecutive European Cups (1970-71, 1971-72, 1972-73) — only the second club after Real Madrid to achieve the feat. The Total Football philosophy spread to Barcelona (via Cruyff) and into modern football's DNA.
A second golden era arrived under Louis van Gaal in the 1990s. Van Gaal's 1994-95 Ajax — featuring Edwin van der Sar, Frank de Boer, Ronald de Boer, Edgar Davids, Clarence Seedorf, Marc Overmars, Patrick Kluivert and Jari Litmanen — won the UEFA Champions League against Milan. The Ajax youth academy, "De Toekomst," is football's most famous developmental institution, having produced Cruyff, Marco van Basten, Frank Rijkaard, Patrick Kluivert, Wesley Sneijder, Christian Eriksen, Frenkie de Jong, Matthijs de Ligt and dozens more. Ajax's 36 Eredivisie titles place them well clear of all other Dutch clubs. The fierce De Klassieker against Feyenoord is Dutch football's defining fixture.