Sports
Ex-Dutch Football Legend, Johan Neeskens Is Dead
“With Johan Neeskens, both Dutch and international football lose a true legend,” the KNVB said in a statement, confirming that the iconic midfielder died on Sunday following an unspecified illness.
Neeskens was a key teammate of Johan Cruyff and an integral part of the era-defining teams of that period.
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Neeskens was a key member of the Ajax squad that clinched three consecutive European Cups in the early 1970s. He was also part of the famed ‘Clockwork Oranje’ Dutch team that reached the World Cup finals in both 1974 and 1978.
Throughout his career, he earned 49 caps for the Netherlands.
“With his characteristic tackles, sublime insight and iconic penalties, (he) will forever remain one of the leading players that Dutch football has ever produced,” said the KNVB.
After his playing career, Neeskens took part in coaching programmes around the world.
Known on the pitch for his uncompromising tackling, he also had a softer side, the KNVB said in its statement.
He was “a world citizen and a gentle family man who was proud of his children and grandchildren and who, until the very end, knew how to touch others with his love for football.”
The KNVB said it would hold a minute’s silence at the next two international matches against Hungary and Germany.
Ajax wrote on X: “We are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Johan Neeskens. Our thoughts are with his family at this time.”
“Rest in peace, Ajax legend.”
Barcelona, where he was known as “Johan The Second” (after Crujff), according to Dutch public broadcaster NOS, also tweeted condolences.
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“A blaugrana legend who will forever be in our memory.”
Current Dutch coach Ronald Koeman described Neeskens as his “great idol”.
Playing football in the street as a boy, Koeman said his friends either wanted to be Crujff or Dutch star Willem van Hanegem.
“But I wanted to be Neeskens,” said Koeman, cited by local news agency ANP.
“His style really appealed to me. His fight, for example. And he was also a great penalty specialist.”
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