Dutch football mourns the loss of a legend

The football world is mourning Johan Neeskens. As the Dutch association KNVB announced on Monday, the former national player died at the age of 73 years “unexpectedly” during a stay for a trainer project in Algeria.

Neeskens reached the World Cup finals with the “Elftal” in 1974 and 1978. At club level he enjoyed great success with Ajax Amsterdam and FC Barcelona.

“International football is losing a legend. We have no words for this enormous, sudden loss. The world is not only saying goodbye to a gifted athlete, but above all to a committed, passionate and wonderful person,” the KNVB said in a statement.

With Hans Krankl at FC Barcelona

The former midfielder, who was born in Heemstede in North Holland, ran for, among other things Ajax Amsterdam and the FC Barcelona on. He played a total of 49 international matches between 1970 and 1981 and scored 17 goals. With Ajax he won the European Cup three times in a row (1971-1973). With Barcelona (as a teammate of Hans Krankl) he also won the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1979. At Ajax and Barcelona as well as in the national team, he was the congenial midfield partner of his legendary namesake, who died eight years ago Johan Cruyff.

However, the coronation in the “Oranje Dress” was denied him, both 1974 (1:2 against the Federal Republic of Germany) as well 1978 (under coach Ernst Happel 1:3 after extra time against Argentina) they lost to the hosts in the World Cup final. In the 1-2 defeat in Munich, Neeskens scored the early 1-0 lead from a penalty in the 2nd minute.