Johan Neeskens, legendary midfielder who plied his trade with the likes of Ajax, Barcelona has died at the age of 73, the Dutch Football Federation announced on Monday, 7th October. He was a former member of the famous Netherlands squads that pioneered "total football" in the 1970s and a close teammate of Johan Cruyff.
Neeskens netted 17 goals in 49 matches for his country, playing a pivotal role in leading them to two World Cup finals in 1974 and 1978. However, they were defeated in those prestigious finals by West Germany and Argentina, respectively.
He was instrumental in Ajax securing consecutive Eredivisie titles in 1971-72 and 1972-73, along with three successive European Cup victories in 1971, 1972, and 1973, a remarkable achievement matched only by Bayern Munich (1974 to 1976) and Real Madrid (2016 to 2018).
“With his characteristic tackles, sublime insight and iconic penalties, (he) will forever remain one of the leading players that Dutch football has ever produced,” KNVB, the Dutch Federation said in a statement.
In 1974, Neeskens joined Johan Cruyff and manager Rinus Michels at Barcelona, where he went on to claim the Copa del Rey and the European Cup Winners' Cup during his five-year stint at Camp Nou.
''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 federation further added.
After retiring from playing, Neeskens served as assistant manager for the Netherlands, working under Guus Hiddink and Frank Rijkaard. He later joined Rijkaard's coaching staff at Barcelona, assisting him from 2006 to 2008.
Neeskens also managed Eredivisie club NEC Nijmegen for four years, guiding the team to UEFA Cup qualification with a fifth-place finish in the league during the 2002-03 season.