Johan Neeskens has died. With Cruyff’s Holland, football changed

Johan Neeskens, former formidable player for Ajax, Barcelona and Holland, one of the pillars of “total football” of the 70s and key teammate of Johan Cruyff, has died at the age of 73. The Dutch football federation announced it: “With Johan Neeskens, the world of Dutch and international football loses a legend.” The midfielder died on Sunday from an unspecified illness.

With the jersey of the Amsterdam Lancers, Neeskens won three European Cups and was instrumental for the Dutch national teamwho he led to the finals of the world championships in two editions: 1974 and 1978. In his career, he won a total of 14 club titles, including the Copa del Rey and the Cup Winners’ Cup with the Blaugrana shirt and two North titles American Soccer League with the New York Cosmos. He then held management roles in Switzerland and, at home, NEC Nijmegen.

“With Johan Neeskens, the world of Dutch and international football loses a legend,” the KNVB federation said in a statement, adding that the midfielder died on Sunday from an unspecified illness.

With the Amsterdam Lancers shirt, Neeskens won three European Cups and was instrumental for the Dutch national team, which he led to the finals of the world championships in two editions: 1974 and 1978. In his career, he won a total of 14 club titles , including the Copa del Rey and the Cup Winners’ Cup with the Blaugrana shirt and two North American Soccer League titles with the New York Cosmos. He then held management roles in Switzerland and, at home, NEC Nijmegen.