Death of footballer Johan Neeskens, the other orange prince of the sector – Libération

2024-10-07 15:06:54

A pillar together with Johan Cruyff of the Dutch teams, Ajax Amsterdam and FC Barcelona in the 1970s, the midfielder has died at the age of 73, declared the Dutch football federation this Monday 7 October.

Together with Johan Cruyff, he was a pillar of the mechanical Oranje who lit up the football fields of their class for a decade. Johan Neeskens, one of the architects of “total football” and a pillar of the great Dutch team of the 1970s, has died at the age of 73, the Dutch Football Association (KNVB) said on Monday 7 October.

“With Johan Neeskens the world of Dutch and international football loses a legend”the KNVB said in a press release, adding that the midfielder, Johan Cruyff’s most loyal lieutenant in selection at Ajax and Barcelona, ​​died on Sunday from an unspecified cause. “With his characteristic tackling, his sublime vision of the game and his iconic penalties, he will forever remain one of the best players Dutch football has ever produced,” still praises the KNVB.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-gSM_SeGJE

Johan Neeskens was part of the Ajax team that won three consecutive European Cups in the early 1970s and was also a member of the Dutch team that reached the World Cup final in 1974 and 1978. He had 49 caps for orange shirt.

We are deeply saddened by the news of Johan Neeskens’ passing. Our thoughts are with his family at this time ♥️

Rest in peace, Ajax legend. pic.twitter.com/IXsuVCHDee

—AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) October 7, 2024

After Ajax, Neeskens experienced the golden period of Barcelona at the end of the 70s, always alongside Cruyff, before signing for the New York Cosmos in 1979, where he met Franz Beckenbauer, an emblematic opponent in the final of 1974 World Cup of his various teams pay homage to him today. “We are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Johan Neeskens. Our thoughts are with his family.” said Ajax on X. “A Blaugrana legend that will remain in our memory forever”he wrote about X FC Barcelona, ​​​​​​where he was nicknamed “Johan the Second” (in honor of Cruyff).

After his playing career, Neeskens turned to coaching at various clubs, most notably assisting Frank Rijkaard as coach of Barcelona and then Galatasaray in the late 2000s. The KNVB announced that it would observe a minute’s silence in his tribute during the next two international matches against Hungary and Germany.