The football world mourns Johan Neeskens. The Dutchman died at 73. In the 70s he formed a congenial duo with Johan Cruyff.
He was one of the greatest Dutch football heroes and a real world star: Johan Neeskens died suddenly on Sunday at the age of 73. , for whom Neeskens was active as an official and figurehead until his death. He felt unwell while taking part in the association’s own “World Coaches” program in Algeria and died a short time later.
“International football is losing a legend,” the statement continued. The world is not only saying goodbye to a gifted athlete, but above all to a committed, passionate and wonderful person. “We have no words for this enormous, sudden loss. Johan was one of our greats. We will miss him painfully,” it continues. Neeskens is survived by his wife Marlis, his four children Christian, Tamara, Bianca and Armand and his two grandchildren Djoy and Lovée.
Johan Neeskens played for FC Barcelona, among others
The Hemsteede-born midfielder was considered one of the most gifted midfielders on the planet, especially in the 1970s. He worked for many years behind playmaker and compatriot Johan Cruyff (1947-2016) both at Ajax Amsterdam and the national team and later at FC Barcelona, and kept Cruyff’s back there. In total, he won the European Cup, the predecessor of today’s Champions League, three times.
Neeskens was always remembered by German fans because he scored 1-0 in the 2nd minute of the 1974 World Cup final. Germany still won the game in the Olympic Stadium in Munich after goals from Gerd Müller (1945-2021) and Paul Breitner (73). In 1979 Neeskens moved to the New York Cosmos and was a teammate of Franz Beckenbauer (1945-2024). In the 1990s he started a coaching career, but was best known there as an assistant coach with the Dutch national team, with FC Barcelona and with Galatasaray Istanbul, both on the staff of Frank Rijkaard (62).
Source: Stern
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
